I have had a tough semester, specifically in the past two months. I went through an extensive process to change my major, had several health issues, resumed healthy habits, and then fractured my foot. I wanted to quit countless times, I was so ready to give up. But I trudged through and now everything is going very well for me. But during this rough patch, I had a few things I did to remain positive and to take a break from everything that was going on in my life.

One thing that I really utilized was Netflix. When I couldn’t do any more homework, or just needed a break from the craziness that is my life, I would watch a show or movie. This was super helpful because it took my mind off things for a moment and I was able to relax. I didn’t do this every time I needed a break, but it helped the few times I did. Watching a couple episodes of How I Met Your Mother and Friends was a great way to focus on something else for an hour. It allowed me to clear my mind and start over.

Another piece of advice I have is to do things in chunks. If you do everything at once, you’re going to be even more stressed out than you were before. It takes time to get used to things, so don’t rush into them. Take your time and work slowly to fully understand what you need to accomplish. I was told by a doctor to continue working out five days a week. Once I resumed doing that, I fractured my foot. I most likely rushed back into working out, rather than taking it slow. And now, I’m paying the price of that.

My roommates really helped me stay on track and focused, as well. I am always doing homework with my friends, and they constantly kept me on track and on top of things. Due to this motivation, I was able to make so much progress with my studies and health issues. Writing To-Do Lists was also a big part of motivation. I write a list of things I need to do every day. These lists allow me to visualize how much I need to get done each day, which helps with time management. Plus, it felt amazing crossing a bunch of tasks off the list. It feels very rewarding.

When I was feeling down, I would change up my scenery. I could always tell when I need to do homework elsewhere, because I will be too distracted by my surroundings and I can’t focus. Switching up where you study will allow you to be more productive and remain positive because you’re getting work done. I often studied in the library or the longue of my dorm, instead of my room. Plus, being around people who are actively working, you get inspired to get your work done, too.

One last way to stay positive is to listen to music or play games on your phone. Music is one of the best things in the world. I am constantly listening to music: on the way to class, in-between classes, in bed at night, etc. I can only go a certain amount of time without listening to music. It is one of the most important things to me when I’m trying to stay positive. I have playlists for every mood, so I am always trying to improve my mood. When I play games on my phone, it distracts me from what is going on in my life. It helps me escape reality for a little and most of the games I have are addicting. So, I’ll play until I lose all of my lives and get back to work. It’s just another little thing that will take your mind off what’s happening in your life.

While I have been struggling with a handful of problems for months now, I have maintained a positive attitude and managed to get all of my classwork done. And I can trace my success back to these five pieces of advice. College has been really tough this semester, but I am surviving and getting through the worst semester ever. And I couldn’t be prouder of myself.