“It’s that time of the semester.”
We know and despise it all too well: 2 a.m. library study sessions, triple espresso-shot Starbucks orders, and nights of only four hours of sleep… just to wake up and hit repeat. We have all experienced it, we all hate it and our baggy eyes and relentless sneezes leave even professors feeling our pain. BUT, despite the constant go, go, go-ness of midterm week, there is some truth to my mom’s favorite saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Check out these quick, de-stressor tips that will break up your study sessions, leaving you a bit more relaxed to forge on to success.
1. Tea Please
The number one go-to during times of stress? You guessed it… that good ’ole cup of Joe. While one cup is ok, college students tend to down coffee like it’s liquid gold… leaving us shaking and dehydrated by lunchtime. Better substitute? Green tea. It has a much less caffeine count than coffee and is also known to promote relaxation. And yes… Starbucks sells it.
2. Take a stroll
I’m not going to sit here and lecture you to go to the gym. While that’s most ideal, let’s face it… its either go to the gym and get four hours of sleep, or not exercise and get six. The fix? Ditch the bus and embrace Gainesville’s first breath of (almost) humidity-free October air. Take an extra 15 minutes to walk to class, leaving your phone in your bag and enjoying the all-natural G-ville sunshine.
3. Get a flu shot
It’s October… and that means flu-shot time! Because the last thing you want is to battle essay tests, physics formulas AND a sore throat. Take 5-10 minutes and get a flu shot at the infirmary – better this than spending weeks in your bed feeling like an RTS bus hit you.
4. Paint your nails
That’s right, pick out your favorite color and Spotify playlist and the next five minutes are all yours! I usually stash a color or two in my backpack; that way, I’ll have a de-stressor with me on the go. This is a quick way to rejuvenate those screen-glazed eyes and take your mind off of calculus derivatives.
5. Re-make your room
I know it may be difficult, especially when you’ve been to the library so many times that you start to smell like it… but DO NOT use your bedroom as your study zone. Rather, transform it into your own mini-meditation getaway! Invest in some cheap string lights, spiritual books and scented candles (if permitted) and actually ENJOY coming home. If possible, give yourself at least 20 minutes of down time in your new meditation room before calling it a day.
