As we start the seventh week of classes at GW, everyone seems to enter the slump of the semester. This is when midterms begin, spring break is so close yet so far, and everyone needs a break from school. Because of this, people tend to lose drive, feel overwhelmed, and exhausted all at the same time. How can someone beat this slump, or avoid it even?! Below I have listed five ways I am avoiding this slump as much as possible!
- Plan time to relax
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With all of us being college students, the necessity for a planner or google calendar is essential. I try to follow my planner as much as possible to ensure I get everything done on time. But, this has caused me to have a lack of relaxation which is extremely important to productivity in the future. So now, I have planned 2 hours total throughout the day to relax. Let it be a 30-minute phone call with someone close to me during lunch, or the episode of the Bachelor every Monday, I can promise you that it is written in my planner. This allows me even more reason to complete the other tasks on time so I can truly enjoy my relaxation time without feeling guilty!
- Have a change of scenery
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Last week, I was bombarded with two midterms and four events I had to attend so it was quite a stressful week. My roommates forced me to go to Gong Cha with them (yes it is on GWorld so please go and get the lychee green tea with milk foam, you won’t regret it), and it was such a rejuvenating experience. We all sat together and played Uno for twenty minutes and then walked back. That little adventure was the boost I needed to push through the rest of my evening. It was nice to get away from my study space and be in a new environment while drinking something delicious.
- Get outside
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Being that DC has had pretty mild weather for winter, going outside is a great way to combat the slump. If you like to study outside, or even just walking around the mall, going outside is refreshing. Even scooter to and along the Georgetown waterfront to truly get that outside exposure and sunlight. There is something about an open landscape that is calming when I am extremely overwhelmed. If you find yourself needing to be immersed in nature, check out the Botanical Gardens and you will not be disappointed!
- Self-care
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During the winter season and school being stressful, we all tend to need a little more self-care than we need. It is important to truly take care of oneself which can be done through a multitude of ways. Literal self-care like a simple face mask and hair mask night with your friends is a super relaxing and great bonding activity. Additionally, going to get a manicure is a great time to treat yourself while disconnecting from your phone for a while which is so needed. Or, maybe it is baking your favorite dessert because you truly do deserve it. Whatever makes you feel relaxed and pampered at the same time, please take some time to do so!
- Say no when needed
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Everyone is busy and things always come up at the worst time and because of this, it is okay to say no. This is to avoid spreading yourself too thin during this time. Yes, it is great to get out and do activities with your friends or organizations, but, it is also important to take time for yourself. Prioritizing yourself over others is not a horrible thing to do, especially during a stressful or hard time in life. Always remember that you are a major, if not the first, priority that you need to maintain above anything else.
