In my three years at St. Andrews, the first-semester revision season always hits me like a ton of bricks. The first half of the semester is all fun and games: the excitement of being back with your friends, the fresh feeling of new classes, and the town full of cute fall vibes. But as the clocks change at the end of October, we embark on the path to darkness. By the time revision week arrives, we are facing single-digit temperatures and 3:30 pm sunsets.
While I can’t speak for everyone, I certainly find these last few weeks of the fall semester to be the hardest. With only seven brief hours of sunlight and no one but myself to structure my days, it can be hard to stay on top of everything. On cold, dark days, the motivation to stay on top of revision, avoid hermit-hood, and engage in self-care can be sparse. To help us all, here are a few of my favorite tips, tricks, and habits to stay (mostly) sane in the last weeks of the semester.
SAD Lamp
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is known to impact energy, concentration, and mood. Unfortunately, our revision and exam diet falls during some of the darkest winter weeks. Though students everywhere face this reality, Scotland’s northern position exacerbates the situation.
I invested in a SAD lamp my first year at St Andrews. When the sun rises after 8:00 (which may not be an issue for all students) and sets before 4:00, energy levels are low and our mental health can take a toll. These lamps, specifically designed to help with SAD symptoms, are especially useful at this time of year. For anyone hoping to bring extra brightness to their days, here is a helpful guide to the best SAD lamps for the winter season.
Beach Walks
When I was growing up, my mom often referenced the importance of being near water for mental health and well-being. As depressing as it can sometimes feel here, St Andrews is a beautiful place and we are blessed daily by our wonderful proximity to the sea. Throughout the semester, I have made it my goal to walk by the beach every day.
As a St Andrews student, I certainly fall into the trap of being so spoiled by how close everything is. Sometimes walking 5 minutes out of my way to see the water can feel like a chore. But carving out space for this small daily ritual always brightens my day and helps my concentration, especially later in the semester. The small act of walking to the beach daily will ensure fresh air, movement, and gratitude are checked off your daily to-do list as you appreciate the amazing place we call home.
As an added bonus, if you are looking for light reading to decompress outside of revision and are interested in the importance of being near water, Blue Mind is a highly regarded book on the science behind the health benefits that can come from connecting with water.
Time with Friends
Recently, there has been a lot of back-and-forth about the balance between ‘protecting your peace’ and the downsides of social isolation and avoidance. I am certainly guilty of reclusion, not making plans or reaching out simply because it can feel like another energy-draining item on a to-do list. Especially under SAD conditions, it is easy to fall into social isolation.
But, particularly as we approach the winter holidays, it is important to push ourselves to do something social every day, even if it is small. Making plans does not have to mean going out or holding a whole production to see people. Just the small act of putting in the effort to meet up daily is what matters. I think we all know that just 30 minutes with a friend can really boost your energy.
Whether you meet for coffee, share a meal, enjoy a game night, or bring them on your daily beach walk, scheduling small social time will recharge your batteries so you are in the best headspace to get your work done.
Specific Study Hours
For me, the hardest part of exam season is the lack of structure. While I know there are definitely things to do and prepare for, the emptiness of my calendar often finds me distracted by random adventures or endless scrolling. And then, all of a sudden, I need to have something ready ASAP, and I have no idea where the time has gone.
So, to offer one study-specific piece of advice, blocking off specific study times throughout the week can help stay on top of revision. While I cannot say this is a foolproof method (I often still find myself on the couch looking at my phone for hours when I am meant to be studying), it does help set reasonable expectations for productivity.
All in all, it is important to remember that this is a stressful period, so it is very important to make space to take care of yourself and bring small moments of joy into your routine!