This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Case chapter.
As students pitifully grind our way to the light at the end of the tumultuous tunnel known as the academic semester, we tend to push the body and mind beyond reasonable limitations. So as you continue memorizing formulas and reading academic essays, do not ignore the signs that are being sent your way. Here are five subtle signs that can tell you if you more tired than you think you are and should find a place to crash and recharge your battery.
1. Small Muscle Twitching or Contractions
Small muscle twitching is an indirect result of exhaustion. By that I mean, as college students (or humans in general), we tend to heavily rely on caffeine an unhealthy amount to get us through academic grinds. This overdose in caffeine is too much for your body to efficiently use so your tiny little muscles are going to be wired.
2. Less Coordination
Yes, that trash was always there. No, I didn’t trip you. This is a little freebie but if you can barely make it from point A to point B without bumping, hitting, grinding, tripping over, or slipping on anything then maybe you just lie down where you are and sleep until you regain your spatial awareness.
3. Over Eating
Yes, food is delicious. But if you find yourself extremely hungry, only taking breaks to eat every half hour, or eating just for the sake of eating; then you’re doing something wrong. A part of a healthy diet is a solid sleep schedule, so by interrupting it, everything becomes utter chaos.
4. Zoning Out
At this point, studying isn’t even possible. Focus is almost at an absolute zero and comprehending whatever it is you’re looking at is even less. Go ahead, try to study, I guarantee you end up reading the same sentence 10 times over before you even remember where you are.
5. Zero Impulse Control
Believe it or not, you can reach a point where your body is so desperate to fuel basic functions you lose all impulse control. Your existence and actions are completely based off of impulse, like a squirrel. Every part of your body will be rhythmically tapping, you’ll be hypersensitive to investigating any sound that breaks the silence, and you might even start dancing. Good luck my friend, and happy studying.