Whether you have midterms coming up or you’ve just completed them, it’s important to take care of yourself and recharge. To avoid the “Sunday Scaries,” follow these tips.
1. Get Up Early
If you wake up early, you will feel less stressed for the day, especially if you have a lot to do. How you wake up sets the tone for your day. Rather than waking up to an annoying alarm, set your alarm to your favorite song, or a song that reminds you of a happy memory. If you have trouble with snoozing your alarm, like me, try putting your phone away from your bed. This will force you to get out of bed and start your day.
2. Avoid Your Phone
Try to avoid going on your phone (max 10 minutes) as soon as you wake up. Our phones can be very distracting, and they may tempt you to get back into bed. Next, do a workout or go for a walk! When I walk my dog in the morning, I feel refreshed and productive because I can cross one thing off my to-do list. If you’re looking for new workouts, we have a few articles for you!
3. Get Ready for the Day
Changing into your favorite, comfy loungewear will make you feel refreshed! If you stay in your pajamas, you will probably feel lazy and not motivated to get anything done.
4. Make a To-Do List the Night Before
If you make a to-do list the night before, you are more likely to get stuff done. However, make sure your to-do list is realistic and don’t overwhelm yourself. Recently, I have been using the time-blocking technique. I schedule breaks in my day to avoid burn out, and it helps me stay on track with what I must do for the day.
5. Look at the Week Ahead
Double-checking your syllabi for the week is always a great idea. Maybe you overlooked a small assignment that was due, or you wrote a due date wrong in your planner. I use a weekly to-do list from amazon. This allows me to write every assignment I have due for each day. They’re only $10 on Amazon and really help me to stay organized!
6. Take Breaks!
Studies have shown that if you attempt to study for hours without giving yourself a break, you are likely to retain less information than if you were to take a break. When I am studying, I use the pomodoro method. This method is highly effective in keeping you focused and away from your phone. You can easily google “pomodoro timer,” and the timer will pop up for you. I tend to have it on my phone because it prevents me from using it. The pomodoro method is where you work for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break. This repeats three times, and then you take a 15-minute break. You would be amazed at how much you can get done in only 25 minutes.
7. Schedule Time for Self-Care
Scheduling time for self-care is crucial for your productivity and especially your mental health. Whether you watch your favorite show on Netflix, apply a face mask, take a bath, paint, or even play with your dog, it’s important to incorporate this time into your day because it will give you something to look forward to, and it will help you avoid the “Sunday Scaries”.