With two weeks before everyone escapes campus for the comfort of their homes, the schoolwork can seem to pile up and the November slump can set in. The thought of home cooked meals and endless amounts of turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie can consume our minds, while we struggle through essays and exams. Usually at this time of year I feel myself start to get a little more depressed because the weather is colder and the days are grey, but it looks like global warming is pushing the cold back a little bit this year so that isn't the case just yet. The semester is almost over and Thanksgiving and Christmas are within reach so here are some ideas for getting through the November slump and powering through the rest of the semester.
1. Get some fresh air!
Even though it is getting a little colder, it is still nice enough to go try out one of the various hiking areas around Lewisburg. You can go to the scenic overlook or drive a little further to the beautiful R.B. Winter State Park. You can even just jump across Route 15 and take a nice walk along the Rail Trail or play with the goats at Ard's Farm.
2. Try out some new food places.
I know that by this time of the semester I am bored with the bison food and eating at the same place downtown all the time. So hop in the car of pull on a pair of walking shoes and head to some different restaurants. You can head down 15 to try the infamous Skeeters Barbecue or even go into Selinsgrove for some Texas Roadhouse. There is the Fence across the Susquehanna and the Rusty Rail Brewing company over in Mifflinburg. Mix it up! Your stomach and taste buds will thank you.
3. Plan a fun day trip or weekend visit.
Go into Philly or New York City for the day to explore or head out to the Poconos for some more advanced hiking trails. You can call up a friend and ask to visit their campus! Villanova, St. Joes, Penn State and many more are not too far away!
4. Invite your home friends or friends at other colleges to come for a visit.
Sometimes its nice to see an old friend and show them your school. Call up your home friends and invite them to come spend a weekend with you! It will be a fun way to catch up and spend some time with different people.
5. Plan more events with friends.
I love having things to look forward to whether it be a fun pregame to celebrate life or a day spent at one of the many nearby vineyards. So make plans with your friends to do more fun things!
6. Ask your parents to visit.
Sometimes the best cure to a slump is seeing the people who gave you life. If its not too far of a trek for them, ask your parents to come stop by for a visit either for a week day lunch date or a longer weekend visit. It can be the perfect break from hectic school life.
7. Make time to reflect.
When things get chaotic and life seems to be moving at 100 miles per minute we can forget to reflect on all of the things that are going well in our lives and the things we have to be thankful for. Take time to shoot a text to an old friend and let them know you're thinking of them or to thank your parents for all that they have done for you! It never hurts to think about all of the good in our lives.
8. Exercise and eat healthy.
Both of these things can really help to boost our moods and energy. Exercise releases endorphins and gives us the motivation to get through the day by energizing us. And eating healthy can help us not only look great but also feel great! When its still nice out try going for a relaxing run or when it gets colder try one of the many great exercise classes that Bucknell offers.
9. Volunteer at local places!
With things so crazy at school we can forget how many people in the Lewisburg community are struggling and could use our help! You can volunteer in the community garden or help at the food bank on Fridays! There are so many great opportunities all around this community and it feels so good helping others!
10. Sleep a lot.
Sleep is so important to our well being and mental health. When school picks up and we find ourselves spending hours in the library, it can be hard to prioritize sleep. But it is super important to keeping us going and must be put high on our list of things to do a lot of!
