So we just got back from spring break? No way! Don’t worry you are not alone. Now is the time when every CMU student understands the true meaning of “stress culture”. Everyone has those grades they want to maintain, and those that need to move up just that little bit (ok fine…alot!). But now is also the time when everyone starts losing motivation. The weather keeps tricking us, we know we are getting close to the end, and somehow, there is no light in the end of the “workload” tunnel. Don’t think you can make it to Carnival? We got your back! Here are 5 tips to help you get to Carnival, and hopefully, the end of semester.
1) Make a Daily To-Do List
This is the most redundant, and still most effective strategy of getting work done. This doesn’t mean not to have a planner or know what’s coming up. But, planning your day out, and setting expectations for yourself will help you keep those grades away from disaster zone. Write a list of everything you need to do, club meetings, emails to send, people you need to text, EVERYTHING. Then, try to avoid watching that episode of House of Cards till when your to-do list isn’t done, or close to done. Every single item you cross out, even if it is just attending an event or writing an email, will get you one step closer to successfully finishing the semester.
2) Exercise
Unfortunately, even if you can try your best with positive thinking and being organized, the stress is eventually going to get to you. And although you may be tempted to go the junk food way (don’t we all?) try to work in a workout (see what I did there?) every few days. Start with 3 days a week and work yourself up to 5-6 days. Once it becomes a part of your routine, it really helps take your mind of the assignment you have due, and gives you that little burst of energy to get started again after your workout.
3) Start Ahead
Know what doesn’t give you that little bit of energy right after you finish? Procrastination! Although tempting, pushing assignments off only hurts you later, and if your sleep deprived self makes it to Carnival, you are going to waste the beautiful weather catching up on sleep rather than standing the sun (Scandal reference anyone?). Instead, keep pushing to work ahead. You may not know all the answers, but answer the ones you do know. This will help with the stress and the bad days, and who knows, working today might give you some time to catch up on the House of Cards you put off earlier!
4) Take Time Out
Between all the being productive and exercising, its easy to go the other way and overdo it. Just going through the grind without thinking about it? You’ve overdone it! Too tired to go to class? You’ve overdone it. Thinking about dropping homework or a class because you just don’t want to work anymore? You’ve overdone it. But that’s ok, you can still recover. While you don’t necessarily have to go to the Mindfulness room or find your Zen, find an activity you find relaxing (not including watching TV!) and take time to be alone, and just zone out. Zone out to music, or a walk, or coloring, or reading. Anything that gives you some me time away from the chaos and helps you get that little break from CMU. Every day, take at least 20 minutes for that me-time! You deserve it!!
5) Don’t Give Up Now
Lastly, don’t act on that thought all of us have at this point in the semester. Wouldn’t it just be easier to drop? NO! Think of yourself in the start of the semester, that person who stayed up trying to finish everything. That person who put 2+ months in to getting work for this class done. That person who wants to finish this class now so they can relax or not overload later. Yeah that person, that 2 month earlier you, they would not appreciate you giving up now. You have already put 60-75% of the work in. So buck up and finish the rest. I know getting that C (or B if you are that person) may be scary, but finishing and moving on is important! You are close, you worked hard, just keep pushing and give it your best shot and see what happens. You never know! And if you do get the worst case scenario, just work on undoing it with a new class next semester, instead of sitting through something you struggled with again because you didn’t want to go through the work to see it through!