Exams and reports and presentations, oh my! Can you say spooky szn?
It can be hard to stay motivated and confident in this point of the semester. We are all over the excitement of being back on campus and are starting to miss home. No one is getting the right amount of sleep and you can’t seem to catch a break on any of your assignments. Even as a senior, I still can’t figure out how to conquer the mid-semester slump. October is one of the busiest months in the fall semester. Assignments are picking up, you’re trying to avoid getting sick at all costs and you realize there is no time on the weekends to have a social life with all the studying you have to do. I know you’re feeling anxious but I’m here to tell you that you aren’t the only one.
When the workload starts to pick up, it’s important to make time for yourself. You’re probably thinking that it’s impossible to make time for yourself with everything you have going on, but I promise this will make all the difference. When I feel anxious, there’s a number of things I do to help feel better. No surprise, writing is one of my favorite ways to relieve stress. It helps me to physically write my thoughts and feelings down, instead of telling other people. Meditation is something I swear by. I think it’s so important to take time to just clear your head. I started doing yoga last year and it has truly been life changing for my mental health. It’s healthy to find those things that help calm you down. Maybe it’s reading before bed, cleaning your room or taking a bath. Whatever it is – make time to do it!
Staying organized is key when it comes to staying stress free. I feel so much better when I can look at my tasks on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. My planner is my life and I love putting my to do lists under each day. For some people, this makes them feel more stressed out but if you’re anything like me, you love color coordinating and using sticky notes. Managing and scheduling your time will make all the difference. Make breaks in between homework sessions and classes. Whether you watch an episode on Netflix, go to the gym or hangout with a friend, it’s important to maximize the little free time that you do have. If you don’t stop and rest, you’ll eventually just crash.
When this time of year comes around, it’s easy to become so critical of yourself. You tell yourself you’re not cut out for this, you’re just not that smart or you’ll never be good enough. When I get in my head, I remind myself that these things are not true, and they can be changed. You can always do better, but you won’t get anywhere with a negative mindset. If you want to succeed, you have to believe in yourself first. It’s hard not to feel anxious when thinking about everything going on but remember that you are not the only one. If you take a few minutes to just sit, clear your head and breathe, I promise you will feel ready to tackle your schoolwork. Easier said than done, I know, but it’s important to maintain a positive attitude.
Basically, just go kick ass on your midterms! I know you can do it.