YouAlberta
It's that time of the semester again. The end is near, but there is a daunting mountain of final assignments, papers and exams left on your to-do list. How are we going to cram all that work in the remaining weeks of the semester?
I have thoughts of self-doubt run through my mind every semester. The stress of my workload has a paralyzing effect on my productivity. But after completing my first degree, I promised myself that, when I went back to school again, I would work on reducing the end-of-semester stress by practising self-care and taking moments to treat myself.
Here are 10 ways I manage the end of semester crunch time.
1. Acknowledge that university is stressful!
After completing university and entering the work world, I realized why university is so stressful. You never get a break! There is always some sort of assignment or test coming up and your grades could have a real impact on your future.
It is okay to be stressed, and it is okay to acknowledge that you are stressed. I don't think I have ever met a student that does not feel some form of stress near the end of the semester.
2. Use the stress of university to your advantage
The one thing I realized about the stress of university is that it acts as an amazing motivator. If we had no stress in our lives we probably would not get much work done. In my working life, I struggled with loose deadlines and nice-to-do tasks, but in university, those hard deadlines motivated me to make the effort and produce work that I am truly proud of. When you are feeling motivated, tackle your hardest tasks and use that momentum to keep the working train moving.
3. Self-care
Do you ever hear the word self-care and wonder what it really means? You are not alone. Self-care is an elusive concept that is often heard in the language of self-help novels.
For me self-care usually looks like taking a night off, cooking my favourite dinner (who am I kidding, definitely just ordering take out) and watching a movie. Whatever self-care strategy works for you, use it! I think the whole purpose of self-care is to allow yourself downtime to prevent burnout.
4. Take advantage of the student lifestyle
Being a student is fun! You usually get to wake up when you want, plan your day around your classes and enjoy an afternoon siesta if you’re feeling sleepy vibes. Make your schedule work for you. The working world tends to force us into the 9 to 5 schedule, but as a student you can choose when and where you work.
And, reality check, the working world is more like 8 to 6! Being a student is the best!
5. Treat Yo' Self
I know what you are thinking, how can you treat yourself on a student budget? As much as Parks and Recreation popularized the idea of a "treat yo' self" shopping spree, I think the episode was more about two friends spending the day together as a treat. I think this is a perfect way to treat yourself and take your mind off the stress of daily student life. Take a moment to reflect on what it means for you to treat yourself.
6. Take a break!
I have heard many different combinations of the "perfect" working-to-break ratio to optimize on productivity. However, I think it boils down to taking a break when you are losing focus to help you stay engaged and motivated. For me, I like to take a five-minute break every hour. I usually stand up, do a few stretches and check my phone.
7. Rest
As tempting as it is to pull an all-nighter, we all know it never ends well. I remember the one and only time I pulled an all-nighter; I instantly regretted it when I dragged myself to class the next day with a pounding headache and a head full of brain fog. Take the time to sleep—it is the best thing you can do for your productivity and ability to perform.
8. Get up and move
The word exercise can be daunting, so I am going to call it "get up and move." Take a walk around the block, follow a yoga video online or do 10 burpees (who would choose this?). Getting your body moving can clear your mind and give you the motivation to continue persevering through your workload. As much as I always aspire to go for a jog or make it to the gym for a workout, on most days I only manage to go for a walk—which is okay! It still allows me to get my body moving and feel the energy that I need to continue studying.
9. Eat better
I have definitely tried to convince myself that carb loading is an effective strategy for long days of studying. I know deep down that, unless I become an endurance athlete, carb loading will never be an effective strategy and it will end in a day of napping and self-loathing. Reflect on what foods give you energy and plan your day including these foods. U of A's Unwind Your Mind team has some good resources for healthy eating.
10. Animal therapy
Warning: if you are allergic to animals, and/or dislike puppy cuddles, then please move on to the next suggestion.
Petting a dog, cat, rabbit or whatever creature I encounter gives me a boost of warm fuzzies to keep me going. Take a moment to give your pet some love, or ask a friend if you can visit their pet and enjoy some warm fuzzies yourself.
Celebrate!
Did you just complete the first draft of your essay or finish reviewing that confusing concept from your lecture notes? Great job! Take a moment to celebrate! Be it a quick snack, a 15 second TikTok dance or a chat with your roommate. Take the small wins when you get them to keep yourself motivated to reach the big wins.
