Coming back from Thanksgiving break is always a very stressful time of the year. It feels like we’re so close to finishing the semester but still have so much to do before it ends. Finals are just around the corner now, along with essays, and big project due dates quickly approaching. Because of this, I’ve been thinking about one of the sleepiest animals lately, which is koalas.
Koalas spend most of their time in Eucalyptus trees and sleeping. These fuzzy little guys sleep up to 18 hours a day! I hope some of you got this kind of sleep over the break. For me, the first day back is making me wish that I had enough time to sleep like a koala. With all my work piling up, nothing sounds better than curling up in a comfy spot and sleeping all day. However, since this isn’t possible for most of us, we have to channel our inner koala and get sleep whenever we can. Being well-rested will make these last few weeks of the semester so much better. It is so important to give yourself time to rest and recover from all of the hard work you’ve been doing. Koalas practice this and I hope we can all remember to do it too.
Another fun fact about koalas is that they love to eat. They can eat up to a kilogram of eucalyptus leaves a day, which is the only thing they will eat. However, eucalyptus leaves do not provide many nutrients which is one of the main reasons koalas need so much sleep. I think there are a few notable lessons in these aspects of koalas. The first of which is, remember to eat nutritious food every day! With all of the stress from the end of the semester, a lot of times it’s hard to remember to eat three good meals a day or hard to find the time to make enough food for yourself. Giving your body what it needs is essential for surviving finals week, so remember to give yourself this. And like koalas, if all you can think of to eat is some of your favorite foods, it’s ok to just eat those if that is what will get you through this tough time. The only caveat with this approach is making sure you get enough of the nutrients you need. Koalas don’t do a great job of doing this, but if you try to get in just a few more nutrients, you’ll be much better prepared for taking on your finals.
A final note about koalas is that they have strong cartilage at the end of their curved spines, which gives them a very supportive butt that allows them to be comfortable sitting in trees all day. While we do not have an adaptation like this, we can still learn from this. With finals coming up, I imagine most of us are going to spend long days sitting and studying. Staying in the same place and staying focused for long stretches of time can be very difficult. So, consider taking advice from a koala. Make your study space as comfortable as you can for yourself. This could mean using pillows, getting yourself snacks, or utilizing anything that makes you comfortable.
In summary, remember koalas as finals draw nearer. Their lifestyle could be beneficial for you once school gets hectic. Finals can be really stressful and tough, but I know we can all get through them. Just remember what koalas do, sleep enough, eat enough, and make yourself comfortable.