Starting a new semester can yield a lot of different emotions – whether that’s excitement, fear or maybe even both. No matter what happens, here are 7 things you can do to not lose your mind this semester.
1. Fill out and keep up with your planner
Staying up to date is super important and can definitely be a stress reliever. Carve out just a half hour in your day to go through all your syllabi and write down important due dates and exam dates so you can prepare ahead of time. Any planner will work great as long as you find one that works for you. I have one from Erin Condren, and I love it.
2. Create a routine
If you’re super busy this semester, having a day-to day-routine will definitely keep you sane while you’re running around. Are you more productive in the morning or do you like to stay up late? Make sure you work around your class schedule too. Do you have that weird hour between your morning classes? Find a study space and get something done within that time to maximize chill time later on. It always feels so good to cross things out in your planner!
3. Make time for friends, but make time for yourself too
We all know that feeling when your friends are going to that new movie or getting dinner at that restaurant you’ve been dying to try, but you just have so much work to do. Make sure you spend time with them because they’re most likely feeling the same way. That said, make sure you build in time for yourself in your schedule. Watch an episode of your favorite show, do a face mask or even just have a dance party by yourself. Do something that will make you feel re-energized after a long day.
4. Make (or listen to!) new music playlists
It can get really boring when you listen to the same music over and over. Make a new music playlist for the week, or even for the month, that will make the walks or bus rides to class easier. You could even make playlists for your friends and share them with each other to get even more inspiration! I always look forward to Fridays because Apple Music generates a new playlist tailored to me. Spotify does the same thing with Discover Weekly, and I always have great music to listen to between the two.
5. Exercise
There is no better time to exercise than when you’re stressed! Exercise gets your body going when you feel like you just can’t anymore. Go to the gym with a friend, go on a run or even just do some squats! It’s always super rewarding to feel the burn after you’ve worked out. As a freshman at MSU, I’ve been going to Zumba and Yoga offered by the university, and it’s honestly the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m definitely not a professional dancer, but Zumba is fun and easy. I burn 450-600 calories in a single session. Yoga is also great to unwind and stretch out your body after all the physical stress it goes through during the semester. Definitely take the time do something that will get you going because you’ll be much more productive later on.
6. Call Loved Ones (Or People You Trust)
We all have different ways of dealing with stress, but sometimes it can be really great to talk to someone about it, whether it’s parents, grandparents, siblings or even your best friend who you don’t see very often. They’ve probably gone through periods of high stress too, so it’s always good to get advice from people you trust. Some people don’t really want to talk to family members or friends, which is why MSU CAPS is a great place to go if you ever feel like you need a completely unbiased source to talk to. CAPS has several resources if you feel like you need a little bit of extra help.
7. Treat yourself.
Lastly, remember to treat yourself! You work so hard, and you deserve to reward yourself with whatever you like, whether it’s makeup or clothes or even food from your favorite restaurant (thank you, doordash!). Have a spa night, go out with friends, do whatever makes you happy! Remember that you can face anything if you put your mind to it.
Good luck and have a great semester!