It’s that time of year. The leaves are changing, the weather is turning colder, the scent of Pumpkin Spice Latte is in the air and college students everywhere are currently drowning in an endless sea of homework, quizzes, projects and exams.
Yep, it’s gotten to that point in the semester where the amount of schoolwork you have to do actually makes you nauseous.
Trust me, you’re not alone. As you’re reading this, someone somewhere is banging their head on a desk in despair, stress-crying in the middle of the library or frantically guzzling Red Bull in preparation for an all-night midterm study session.
But remember this, my friends: there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s called Christmas break. If you can make it through these next ten weeks, the reward will be well worth it. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you get by:
1. Embrace coffee as the loyal and supportive friend that it is.
When you’re exhausted and can’t drag yourself out of bed, coffee will be there to help pull you out from under those covers and get you on your way to that 8 a.m. on time (okay, maybe just a few minutes late). When you’re nodding off in class because you can’t possibly listen to that professor drone on for more than 10 minutes before his monotone voice lulls you to sleep, coffee will be there perk you up and remind you that drooling on your notes is not cute. And when you have a five-page essay that you haven’t started yet due in four hours, coffee will be there to cheer you on every step of the way. So get yourself a cup of coffee. It works miracles.
2. Call your mom.
With an eight-foot-tall pile of homework staring you in the face, talking to your mom on the phone is probably not high on your list of priorities. But seriously, just do it. You can vent to her about the many woes of being a college student, and she’ll tell you that everything is going to turn out okay because you’re just so smart and talented and you can do anything you set your mind to. Wow, thanks Mom.
3. Go do something fun and autumn-y.
Take a break from studying, grab a group of friends and go have some good fall fun. Because hey, you deserve it. Visit the apple orchard, go haunted housing, jump in a pile of leaves, carve a pumpkin, get lost in a corn maze—the possibilities are endless.
4. Jam out to some Christmas music.
‘Tis the seasons to be overtired, stressed to the max and in serious need of some holiday spirit. So who cares if it isn’t even Halloween yet? Crank up “All I Want for Christmas is You” and have a festive dance party for one. It’s guaranteed to pump you up with just enough holiday cheer to get you through the semester.
5. Budget your time.
Looking at your to-do list can be really overwhelming when you have no idea where to start. So try penciling when you’re going to do homework, study, etc. into your schedule along with your other activities, and then stick to that schedule. Check things off your list as you go along—it’ll help keep you sane.
6. Go outside.
If you’re lucky like me, your college campus is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Take a walk, clear your head, drink it all in. Nature can be pretty therapeutic.
7. One word: NETFLIX
It’s a scientific fact that your brain can only take so much studying before it turns into potato soup and oozes out of your ears. Avoid that whole gross mess by taking a quick break, cozying up in your bed and watching an episode (or seven) of your favorite series on Netflix. It’s good for your soul.
8. Breathe.
Inhale and exhale. Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
9. Think long-term.
At this point, dropping out, moving back home and becoming a hermit is starting to look like a very attractive option. But, all things considered, that’s probably not the best idea. Instead of calling it quits, picture this: you’re all decked out in your itchy polyester graduation gown, walking across the stage with the tassel on your cap flopping against your face, getting ready to grab your diploma with a hand that’s slightly sweaty because you’re worried about tripping in your heels in front of the entire graduating class and their families. Isn’t that a lovely picture? Yes, I agree. Now get back to studying because you’ve got a long way to go.
10. Have a movie night.
Putting on your favorite movie, ordering an extra large pizza and downing your body weight in ice cream may not solve all your problems, but it sure does help.
11. Grin and bear it—literally.
When you’re stuck in a studying stupor, staring blankly at the laptop screen in front of you with no motivation left, smile. Just pause for a second and flash those pearly whites. You’ll probably feel really dumb at the time, but smiling can actually do weird, magical things in your brain to relax your body and lift your mood. Try it right now if you don’t believe me.
12. When all else fails, cry.
It’s okay, just let it out. Take a minute to wallow in self-pity and sob pathetically into your textbook. We’ve all been there.
College is hard. Some days it may even seem impossible, but all this work WILL pay off in the long run. Just keep swimming.
