It’s T minus seven days until spring break. You’re mind is already gone to thoughts of the beach, sleeping in, going to bed before 1 a.m., and eating non-cafeteria food. What’s the last thing you want to do? Spend another 15 hours in the library, banging out those three papers, or studying for those three exams that you won’t give a flying f&#$% about in 168 hours. Unfortunately, this is the dilemma of every college student.
I wish I could tell you that there is some magic potion that can make your workload disappear before your eyes -- but there isn’t, and if there was, I would already have my hands on it. Nonetheless, here is a small collection of advice that I have heard from friends and loved ones on how to cope with the workload you are probably dreading before you can board the plane to some tropical island. Some of it has proven quite helpful, and some, well, not so much.
Get sleep.
Something that I have failed to prioritize, but sleep is crucial to boosting your mental energy so that you can power through these next few days without feeling completely haggard and overwhelmed -- especially for all of you athletes!
Make a schedule.
Organize times for what assignment you are going to do on what day, and set a time limit on it. This does not mean, for all of you overachievers, to make a schedule in which you tell yourself to do everything the day that it is assigned -- or for all of you procrastinators, to make one in which you tell yourself to do everything that day before it is due!
Vent.
And I mean out loud to your friends about everything that you’re going to do, or attempt to do, in the next 15 hours. Sometimes, they’ll help you plan; other times they’ll just give you the look that says, “Can you please be quiet? I’m studying.”
Take breaks.
Something also quite contrary to my study habits, but critical to working effectively. You’re brain can only stare at that blinding computer screen for so long before it tanks out on you.
When all else fails...
Drink a lot of coffee.
My roommate’s record is 11 cups in a day.
Get drunk.
Words of wisdom from a wise certain someone who has a little bit more of a relaxed attitude about school than I do.
In spite of this, however, remember that spring break is just beyond your fingertips. So, hang in there! It will be so worth it.
