It’s the beginning of the semester and classes are ALREADY making you want to pull your hair out? Not to worry! Here are several ways to give your mind a break.
Go for a walk:
I usually do this when I have a little too much on my mind and I need some time to relax. My dorm is pretty far from main campus (around 11 minutes), so a walk from my dorm to main campus to buy a smoothie and walk back is my go-to way to distress. It just clears your head. It’s the best.
Learn calligraphy and/or make a bullet journal:
I’ve recently bought a calligraphy kit online and a journal from the local dollar store to make a bullet journal in my free time. I was inspired to do so because several of my friends along with my roommate practice calligraphy as a way to detox. Calligraphy also strengthens your penmanship and expands your creativity. Don’t be surprised when your notes and projects become more organized and artistic.
Break up your homework and start early:
What works for me when I’m stressed is to create a system. Every professor has a routine of how they teach and an order of when their assignments are due for students. Our job is to discover that order and to make some order for ourselves. For example, a math professor may lecture one chapter a week and have homework due sunday at midnight. As a student in that class, it would be smart to check the syllabus, know what chapter is going to be covered ahead of time, read ahead (maybe a few pages a day the weekend before), and let the professor’s lectures fill in the gaps of what was misunderstood. Tests and quizzes and everything in between will become easier to manage.
Learn or practice an instrument:
If you are a fan of music, and you have a favorite song or two or five, odds are there are free downloadable sheet music online to print and learn on the instrument of your choosing. It will take your mind off of deadlines and also give you a sense of pride after learning a song successfully.
Exercise:
Does you professor make you want to hit a wall? Going to the gym will help you blow off some steam. Personally, running on the treadmill or using the elliptical while listening to some jams makes me feel relaxed and energized.
Get in touch with an old friend:
Take the time to reach out to a family member, a past mentor, or an old friend. Retouching with someone will lighten up your spirits, and theirs too.
Cook something:
Learn a new recipe and put into use. If there is no room in the dorm to cook something that requires a stove or oven, look on pinterest and look up dorm snacks. There are several dips, sandwiches, desserts, and no-bake items that are easy to make with a microwave or with cheap grocery items.
Learn a dance:
Whether the genre is Korean-pop, r&b or rap, if dancing is your thing or if you like to dance for fun, it’s the best way to get yourself active and have a little fun.
Have a mini spa day:
This is my favorite thing to do while stressed. Wash your face, apply a face mask, brew some hot tea or coffee, paint your fingernails and toenails, take a nice hot bath (or shower) and pamper yourself.
Of course, there are several other ways to relax, but the main thing is to find things that make you happy and give yourself an outlet to relax besides doing homework and worrying about grades. You got this!