We have arrived at the point in the semester where a lot of us are ready to give up. We are counting down to winter break, just so we can have a breather. We are homesick and unexplainably tired. We look at our course work and are floored: did I miss all those assignments, or has my professor just not graded them yet? We walk into class and take mid-terms we forgot that we had, even though we were studying just last night.
Don’t give up. Don’t let your overdue assignments or impending projects get the best of you. You still can turn this semester around. First you have to take a few deep breaths, maybe cry about it for a few minutes, and then come up with an action plan. If your struggling in the classroom, set up appointments to talk with your professors. Ask them how to catch up and if you can still turn in any missing assignments, or get help on upcoming ones. Get yourself a planner. Write down everything you have to do: all your assignments, due dates, meetings, and even block out time to study and do homework right on there, that way you don’t forget. Ask friends or classmates if you can do homework together- things always seem less overwhelming when you work on them with another person. And if all else fails, go talk to one of the AM’s in your building. This is legitimately what they are there for!
If it’s outside of the classroom where you’re struggling, whether it’s finding time to yourself, roommate drama, or something else- the first thing you have to do is come up with a place or activity that helps you relax. This could be sitting in the library away from everyone else, barricading yourself in a lounge or your dorm room, or just buying yourself a coloring book and doing a few pages in there when you get stressed. Finding ways to clear your mind and escape from the stress of daily life can be a huge help in whatever you are trying to deal with. Having more than one thing that helps you can make things a lot easier, too. That way it doesn’t feel like you’re in a rut. A good habit could be, once you find something that calms you, try to make time to do it every day. This way you can use it as a stress preventer as well as a diffuser, so you may need it less and less.
You have to remind yourself that you have been through things before. You’ve been to school before, and you made it through. You have had problems before, and you have made it through. Don’t start doubting yourself now! You are stronger than you think, and you are definitely ready for this. Sure, everything feels totally new and different. But if you remember to lean on those around you and have some faith in yourself, you’ll be just fine.
