Four weeks ago, Yale students rolled out of their beds on the Monday morning after Halloweek just wishing for Thanksgiving Break to finally start. Well, Thanksgiving Break did eventually start, and now it’s over. The good news: There’s only one week of class before Reading Period. The bad news: THERE’S ONLY ONE WEEK OF CLASS BEFORE READING PERIOD. In honor of it being the Sunday night before the most chaotic five day period of most of our semesters, here are some tips to surviving your three papers, six Canvas reading responses, and two exams that are all likely due this Friday at midnight. Cheers, everyone.
1. Cry.
As I said in my “How to Survive Post-Halloweek,” letting it all out is the best way to go. I said it once and I’ll say it again: A good cry is best paired with a few good ole scary Canvas emails sitting in your inbox. Some things never change.
2. Accept your fate.
It’s one week out of your entire life. You might get zero sleep, but hey— in a few weeks, you’ll be at home for the holidays with all the sleep opportunities in the world. Accept that this week is going to be rough, and try to plow through it with the future in mind. It’s the final countdown! *cue the iconic song The Final Countdown*
3. Go sightseeing in Bass and realize that it could be worse! You’re stressed and tired, but at least you’re not the guy sleeping on the couch in the library at two AM with a large Redbull and an empty family-sized pack of Skittles resting atop his (closed) Orgo textbook. Or alternatively, maybe you are that guy. If so, please go home and rest.
4. Stay thankful!
Just because Thanksgiving is over, it doesn’t mean you have to stop being thankful. Gratitude is a fantastic coping technique. For example: I’m grateful I get to study at this wonderful and challenging institution of learning! I’m grateful I get to write such an innovative final paper! I’m grateful my exam is on the last day of finals period because it means I have more time to study! Yay!!!
5. Don’t drink coffee after six PM.
No matter how tempting the delicious energy bean juice is, don’t do it! You don’t want a raging case of insomnia the night before a test. Please learn from my mistakes, dear friends. Please.
6. Stare at the wall.
You’re working all day and you need a break. Watching YouTube takes too much mental energy, as does Netflix (or Disney Plus, if you’re one of the lucky ones). You can’t take a nap because that’s a very dangerous game, so do the next best thing: absolutely nothing.
Please stay healthy, everybody! If you need a break, take one. School is important, but your health (and that includes mental health!) is much more important. Be kind to yourself and know that you are smart, worthy, and loved in this chaotic time.