While in high school, there’s always jokes about the not real, but universally felt ‘senioritis.’ After graduating and coming to college, I thought there was no way I’d feel that again and there would be more relief from completing another milestone.
Although there is a sense of completion, there is added stress from both work for class and the feeling of needing to make the most of what is left.
Everyone typically needs a pick-me-up at this point in the semester. But, for seniors who are so close to the end, it can be difficult to balance the need to slow down while also taking in every ‘last’ as a student.
These are some ways that I am keeping up with the senior slump during my last semester.
Plan at least one night a week for yourself
Although it might seem like a small thing, taking a night to refresh can be a great way to reset. Typically on these nights I like to clean and reorganize my room. With the holidays coming up, I have also used this time to decorate with my roommates.
These nights can either make me feel productive or they can be a great excuse to slow down. At this point in the semester, it can be easy to feel like you’re drowning in work. Planning a night for yourself can also be something to look forward to during this chaotic time in the semester.
Be proactive with work (even if it’s only small tasks)
I do admit that this semester’s workload is not as difficult to maintain. However, if I am not conscientious of due dates or bigger projects, it can be easy to feel more stressed, especially if those dates all fall within the same week.
Being proactive and celebrating the completion of small tasks can also make it easier to have time for last minute plans. Even with preplanned events, it can be rough having to cancel at the last minute, but being proactive and creating a plan to do work can make it easier to process what work needs to be done.
At the beginning of each week, I prefer to make a schedule of what work I will be doing on each day. If there are days when I am feeling more productive, I try to complete as much work as I can, whether a due date is coming up or not. Doing this has been a savior for days when I don’t have the time or energy to work on anything and has made it easier to balance time for social events.
Stress management skills
Developing stress management skills for any scenario can be beneficial at any stage of life. I prefer to do grounding exercises because it can be easy to feel like time is getting away.
Other popular methods include journaling, going to the gym and meditating. It can take time to develop a method that works specifically for you, but it is worth it to try different methods. Some methods, such as journaling, can be done whenever, but there are options that can work better for those that prefer a structured schedule.
For those that are simply finishing up another semester, you’ve got this. This list can be generic, but tailoring it to fit personal needs and habits can make it beneficial for anyone.