As the Holidays approach, yet another semester at SUNY Cortland is coming to an end. Many students may find themselves struggling to stay afloat during this busy time of papers, projects, and finals. With late night study sessions, time away from family and friends, and increased pressures that accumulate this time of year, that “burnt out” feeling is all too familiar.
That being said, it is important to find the time to take care of ourselves. Here are some end of the semester tips to keep in mind as you navigate the stressors of finals and the Holiday season.
- Stay Organized. There’s nothing worse than logging into Blackboard at 11:50 p.m. and realizing you have a paper due at 11:59. Writing down due dates and putting aside time to work on lengthy assignments will help you stay on track to finish strong.
- Keep a positive attitude. Your mindset has the power to change your life. It is easy to get discouraged when trying to keep up with a non-stop workload that seems impossible, but telling yourself that you are capable can help you achieve the “impossible”. Some of the work I’m most proud of was a product of overcoming my own mindset.
- Control your environment. Are you surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed? It is important to spend time with people who care about you, in places that don’t drain your energy.
- Reward yourself. Take some time to plan some leisurely activities with those you care about. This time of the year, we often focus on generosity toward others, but you shouldn’t forget to take care of the person who matters most in your life; yourself.
- Exercise more frequently. Your overall health and productivity depend on your body’s ability to bring oxygen and nutrition to its cells. Many of us have other priorities, but we only get one body. Your body has carried you this far in life, and it’s important to exercise to maintain your physical health, and reduce the stress-causing hormone, cortisol.
- Get enough sleep. There is only so much your mind can absorb at a time. Have you ever fallen asleep studying and by the morning you can’t even remember what you studied? Resting even when you don’t have time to rest can typically increase your productivity to “make up” for the rest time. A good tip to remember is taking 10 minute breaks for every hour of studying.
- Listen to your body. If you never give yourself a break, your body will force you to take a break. Beware of distress symbols such as depression, insomnia, anxiety, lack of concentration, etc. Taking the time to care for your body can help productivity in the long run.
- Eat a healthy diet. You should eat foods that restore you rather than give you a quick boost. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar that will make you feel sluggish. Additionally, caffeine intake should be limited since it can interfere with sleep. Consumption of alcohol and marijuana should be minimal, if used at all.
- Stay in the moment. We often waste our time worrying about future or past events. Save yourself the stress and the energy and use mindfulness exercises to appreciate where you are in the present moment. Worrying about something that has happened or will happen yields no benefit.
- Appreciate this opportunity. We should remember that the opportunity for a college education is a gift that not everyone has access to. Savor the opportunity to grow and develop, because this chapter will be over before you know it. Assignments and final exams are simply an opportunity to showcase what you have learned, and find ways to improve. Putting in the work and staying mindful will take you far.