Feeling tired? Sick? Burned out? Allergic to the yellow exhalations of the perfumed season just dawned upon us? Just generally unfit to study?
I feel that right now, so I thought I'd share a few things that I've found to be helpful when you're stressed out, and you need to clear your headspace.
1. Take a shower or a bath
Picture all that stuff holding you back just washing away.
2. Make yourself a goshdarn cup of tea
Or coffee. Or hot chocolate. Just something warm and comforting to sip at.
3. Get some crayons out and draw
Expressing yourself creatively can unlock new ideas or boost memory. You can even make this part of your studying technique. Personally, I've found that mind maps, example illustrations on flashcards, or little doodles in my notes help my memory--and my confidence in that memorization.
4. Tidy up your study space
Or just change locations. For me, an orderly place to get stuff done is essential.
5. Wear your favorite outfit
Find something clean that you feel strong, capable, and attractive in. Sometimes, just feeling like you look the part can do a lot. If it is more comfortable and you feel like you can still get stuff done - feel free to wear your pajamas. Remember, the ones with the feet in them.
6. Light a candle
Something that smells nice and makes you feel calm. Sometimes, I like to remember how many people had to study by candlelight in the past. Whoa. And here we are today. Because they #worked.
7. Try listening to some soundscapes
This is something I discovered just this winter, and it's been glorious. There are tons of these to find on the Internet, some of which include chilly evenings, rainy days, different Hogwarts standard rooms, coffee shops, libraries, and really, who knows what else. Find a couple that speak to you.
8. Be around people who inspire you
Or if that's not possible at the moment, just look up images of people you look up to who are just absolutely slaying the world with their ambition. I find that I can't look at pictures of Hermione Granger, Rory Gilmore, Elle Woods, Alexander Hamilton, or Homer Hickam without getting ready to conquer the semester.
