Daniel Scrhyer
Contributing Writer
With rough weather comes increased stress and decreased willpower. This term, the student body has been battered by winds, pelted with snow and submerged in torrents of rain. It is only natural that this unpleasant weather would have a negative effect on our exhausting daily schedules. So, what can we do to keep our motivational momentum moving forward during these times of great strife? Here are five tips for keeping a cool head when stress seems to get the better of you:
1. Stay organized: As the term progresses, the papers pile up, books are left unopened, and deadlines aren’t taken seriously until it’s far too late. So what can you do to make things more manageable? Well, you can start by organizing your various collegiate academic responsibilities, either by writing them down in an assignment notebook or creating memos to yourself on an electronic device. This way, that once-imposing mountain of homework is now distributed into neat piles, ready to be tackled in a more manageable quantity.
2. Set goals: Although organizing may be adequate for dividing the bulk of your work into little bite-sized pieces, you still need to actually get them done before you can stop worrying about them. In order to get the ball rolling, set goals for yourself for when and how you want to get your work done. Three essays in one week? Carve out three hours every day for each paper until you’ve reached your desired page count. Giving yourself personal deadlines to obey allows you to better manage your time and maximize your workflow, ensuring that your professors stay off your back and your GPA stays well above satisfactory.
3. Reward yourself: It’s important to make space for personal time between the hustle and bustle of a rigorous school schedule. Self-care, in its many forms, helps you maintain your sanity as well as enjoy the finer points of life on a college campus. So, after a long week (or day, if you’re impatient) of staring at computer screens or scanning another tedious textbook, reward yourself by kicking back and relaxing in whatever way you’re most comfortable. Some options include watching a movie with friends, going out to eat at a fancy (but sensibly priced) restaurant, or jumping into a new book. Let your actions during the school-intensive periods of your week justify these moments of peace and enjoyment.
4. Think long term: College, as I’m sure most would agree, is among the most stressful time in a person’s life. As such, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the ever-present sense of dread that comes along with larger assignments and smaller time frames. So don’t get stuck in an anxious mentality when what you’re working towards is a stable and enriching future, full of opportunity and serendipity. A time will come when you will forget what you were worrying about in the first place; you just have to work hard enough to get there.
5. Have a solid support system: When you’re seemingly too down in the dumps to recover, remember: there’s always someone there for you. Whether it be your friends, your family, or your RA, remember the people who can help you get through problems both big and small and stick with them. Nobody goes through life alone, and nobody needs to deal with college’s trials and tribulations without some outside help.
