Written by: Mary Koehle
Edited by: Peter Milobar
Been there, SpongeBob
Late October-Early November: regularly deemed the student-survival period, breakdown time, or burnout season. This is a time of the year when students across all universities start to wonder why they subjected themselves to this absurdity and consider whether dropping out and becoming a surf-instructor in Hawaii is a feasible option for them. With the seemingly endless midterms, projects, assignments, and studying, coupled with less-than-beautiful weather (thanks Raincouver) it’s fair to say that a lot of students’ spirits (as well our hair) have been dampened. Thus, here are some tips to surviving and thriving throughout a stressful time of the year:
- Take comfort in the fact that most people feel very similarly to you. It tends to seem as though you’re alone in feeling the way that you do (whether that be anxious, frazzled, disheartened etc.) and that everyone else has their business in order, but that is very rarely, I would go so far as to say never, the case.
Real talk: Deep down, everyone is looking like this
- Have time for yourself. Whether that is taking an hour to go exercise, watching an episode of Netflix, or having a dance party in your room by yourself, me-time is important! No one can study constantly for every waking hour (even though it seems like that person in your class that gets 95% on every midterm must.
Dance like no one’s watching
- Retain some human contact. As an introvert, I understand that this one is difficult for some people, but socializing usually helps to alleviate some of those common burnout feelings. Taking twenty minutes to go have coffee with your best friend may provide the motivation that was necessary for you to finish that paper you would have spent three hours procrastinating over. At the very least, taking to someone else generally works to establish the fact that other people are feeling the same way that you are (i.e. refer to #1).
#Deep and true
- It will be over sooner than you think! One month, four weeks, twenty-eight days, 672 hours, however you want to think about it, this craziness does have an end and it is in sight. Hang in there, you’re first semester at UBC is almost complete.
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