The excitement of first semester and being back to school in January has passed, spring break is slowly coming, and the winter blues are continuing to carry on. Between all of these things combined and little breaks between school, life in college can become pretty isolating. If you're anything like me, sometimes sitting in your dorm with a blanket and a book sounds like the best kind of day, but is not as fulfilling as it could be. Here are some tips on how to stay positive, happy and healthy in the middle of this semester.
1. Make new friends on your floor.
If you live in a dorm like I do, I strongly encourage making conversation with the people you pass everyday on your floor. First semester I didn't make an effort to do this which made every night that I didn't have much homework boring. I slowly started to make conversation with girls when I would see them in the laudry room or bathroom and smile in the halls. This not only widened my circle of friends, but now some of my best friends live five steps away from me.
2. Go outside.
Yes, this may sound dreadful in the winter if you go to school in the Midwest like I do, but a little fresh air never did any harm. Avoid taking the buses across campus unless absoluelty necessary (I'm guilty of this.) Not only is the extra walking good for your body, but exercise is also proven to brighten moods and get your brain flow ready for thinking for your next challenging class.
3. Get involved.
This is a pretty basic one, but it's easier said than done. For insance, I'm involved in my sorority, but how much more can I actually do? At my school we have an acitivity fair every semester, likewise so do many others. Going and branching out from your norm can not only help you make new friends, but gives you an excuse to get out of your dorm room on a cold day.
4. Plan for spring break.
We all need motivation, so why not plan something to look forward to? Whether you're planning on going to a crazy party city with your best friends, or going home to spend time with your pets, it is always nice to look forward to something to get you through your midterm exams.
5. Be healthy.
You are what you eat, especially in the winter. If you're constantly eating fried foods, pizza every night or sweets every meal, it will show. It will not only show on the outside, but you'll tend to get hungrier between meals and feel more in a “slump.” Making healthier choices and choosing protein is the way to go. Not only will you look great, but you'll also have a more focused mind when you're sitting in class and not starving.
6. Stay connected.
Second semester tends to have way less breaks than first semester, therefore you may not be home as much to see your family or friends. Staying connected through texting and FaceTiming the people you care for does help. Talking to these people can help bring you back down to earth when you're stressed or stuck in the winter blues.
7. Do something for you.
In the winter it's easy to let ourselves go, I mean were covered in layers of clothing and large puffy coats. Who cares what we look like, right? Well this can bring down not only our confidence, but our moods if we feel the way we look. Getting some cute winter clothes, going to the gym or even getting a spray tan are all confidence boosters for me personally. Everyone is different in the things they like and dislike, it's really up to your personal preference.
8. Know that there is always a finish line.
College is crazy stressful. Between tests, papers and speeches, it's so hard to have a balanced schedule. Knowing that there is a finish line is always relieving. Know that there is an end to this madness and that you'll get a break eventually. After all, work hard play hard, am I right?
Now, let’s take these winter blues down.
