Happy New Year! And congratulations on getting through the 2023 fall semester. As a senior in college, I realize that the end of the semester can be exhausting both physically and mentally. You were probably overwhelmed with assignments, final projects, and/or exams. Studying and completing your work on time can cause you to have a higher stress level and even lose sleep, which I’m sure you can relate to.
Thankfully, it’s time for a fresh start and a fresh semester. Along with trying your hardest in academics, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself and have a routine of self-care. Of course, this can look different for everyone, but I want to share what I do personally in case it is of interest to you.
Rest Up
I don’t know about you, but I’m in a much healthier space mentally when I have been getting full nights of sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep. Eight hours is the perfect amount for me. If I get any less, I feel off the next day and tend to be moodier.
Take a break
It’s important to allow yourself to take breaks during the semester. This works on both a small and large scale. If you have been going to classes and studying all day, remember to take a few minutes to relax by watching a show or taking a nap! On a larger scale, if you have the option, you could take a whole day off. The weekends are great for this. It’s important to spend quality time with friends and family. And if you need alone time, get back to one of your favorite hobbies for a recharge.
Eat well
Keeping your body nourished is crucial for having the energy to complete the work you need to get done. Eating at least three meals a day with snacks in between works best for me. But everyone’s body is different; what’s important is that you eat when you are hungry and that you are getting enough nutrients every day.
Movie nights
This one only really works if you are someone who enjoys watching movies, and this is something that has gotten me through some of my toughest times in school. If I feel overwhelmed or burnt out after doing homework or going to class all day, I’ll put a movie on my laptop and watch it in bed. It’s best to do this right before you actually fall asleep for the day so that you aren’t wasting the prime hours in the day meant for being productive.
Alone time
If you find that you are with people all day every day, it might be time to spend some quality time with yourself. I suppose this applies more to people who are introverted, as socializing takes away energy. Regardless, I think it’s important to spend time alone to reflect on yourself as well as relax.
Phone a friend (or your mom)
I’m sure a lot of you don’t live near your parents. Sometimes I wish I could stop by home to eat a home-cooked meal, vent, or simply be in the presence of a parent, and I’m sure some of you have felt the same way. Although being in person may not be an option, give your mom, dad, or guardian a call! You can either vent and get some good advice or simply distract yourself by hearing what’s going on at home.