Wake up. Classes, classes, classes. Homework. Lab work. Work work. Go to sleep. Wake up. Again and again.
Being a student is hard. Sometimes, it seems like each day blends into the next. Weeks become a blur. Homework piles up, then gets reduced. Then it piles up again. Our lives are structured around deadlines, exam dates, and more deadlines. Even going out can seem like a chore, when we return only to face the guilt of “wasted time.” It’s the cycle that is most overwhelming, even more so than the number of obligations. Such a cycle is emotionally exhausting to the point where, counterintuitively, you achieve apathy- a total lack of caring.
I understand what it feels like. I’ve been there. While nothing has necessarily changed in terms of my workload and course load, I’ve learned how to deal with my feelings of being stuck in a rut. Here’s my personal advice, for what it’s worth:
Don’t do things because they will “look good on your resume.” It’s perfectly fine to add activities to your resume that will build credence for your skill set. But the sole reason for your participation in an activity shouldn’t be because you want to put it on your resume; this transforms something from “want to do” into “have to do.” If you hate spiders, don’t do research in a lab where spiders are the test subjects. This is common sense, but most students need to be reminded that their worth isn’t measured by a GPA and lists of jobs and extracurriculars.
Go out of your comfort zone. Try activities that you're even only slightly interested in. Attend a Zumba class. Take Swedish 101. Add that immunology class to your schedule (as long as it fits!) So what if they’re not part of your curriculum? You never know what doors might open for you.
Avoid the "sunk cost" mentality. With that being said, what if you take Swedish 101 and end up hating it midway through the semester? You might be tempted to think (mistakenly), “well, I’ve already put so much time and effort into this class. Might as well go on to take Swedish 102.”
Cut your losses. Try to think in terms of gain: At the very least, you learned that foreign languages are not your forte.
Focus on your "reasons why", and write out your long-term goals. Look beyond your short-term, daily routine. Why did you choose your major? What do you hope to achieve with your degree? Write it out, post it on your wall, and look at it every day before you leave your home. Make it happen. If you hate a class that you must take to fulfill graduation requirements, remember: your classes are a means to your degree, which is a means to your career.
Schedule time for your family, friends, and hobbies. Perhaps spontaneity is the key to breaking up tedium for some people, but not for me. If you’re anything like me, you’re eternally preoccupied with Google calendar and your list of to-dos. Taking random breaks only adds to the mounting anxiety, which, in turn, leads to emotional exhaustion. By scheduling those breaks in, I’ve found that I am less plagued by feelings of guilt - which enables me to be mentally present when spending time with loved ones.
Don't allow yourself to get to that point of apathy. Talk to a friend, a family member, or maybe even a professional from your school’s health center. Reflecting often can help identify areas in your routine that need changing.
Stop for a moment. Let out that breath that you didn’t know you’ve been holding. Choose to be unstuck. From one college student to another, I wish you all the best. Take care.
