Navigating fall semester slump
Photo courtesy of Photo Editor Faith Zatlukal
The mid-semester fall slump is a taxing time for students and professors. Here are some tips and tricks from The Lamron staff.
Students often struggle during the middle of the fall semester; as midterms pass and Thanksgiving break approaches, it's common to lose momentum and motivation. Knowing that you are not the only one feeling this way is essential! Once the buzz of starting a new school year (or starting college at all) wears out and deadlines begin to creep in, it can start to feel like the semester starts to drag you along. So, instead of holding on for dear life, here are some tips and tricks from students who are along for the ride with you!
The first piece of advice for students who are losing their momentum in the classroom is to start early! Starting an assignment earlier than necessary—not at the last minute—will make you feel more relaxed and give you more time to yourself. Even starting your day by waking up earlier to get work done rather than later at night may help reduce stress.
A common mistake that can lead to more anxiety is drinking too much caffeine. The third coffee or energy drink might seem like a good idea at the time, but it will just perpetuate any issues by making you get sleep of lesser quality (and maybe just less sleep generally); caffeine can also heighten your anxiety drive and make you feel even more stressed or on high-alert than you already are. So do not overdo the caffeine! An alternative could be to take a short walk outside to refresh your mind and body. If the weather is rough, a quick yoga or exercise video is a great indoor activity to help you wake up without consuming caffeine.
Returning to schoolwork, you should find a technique that works for you! (my personal favorite to retain info is scribbling on a paper while reading). Not everyone studies the same, so do not fret if you don’t like certain methods. Another technique you could try is rewarding yourself with a movie or TV show watch if you are trying to motivate yourself to get through certain tasks. Even if it’s as small as a YouTube video, something akin to this is necessary to let yourself unwind and temporarily draw yourself out of whatever hole you’re in…but remember, it should be treated as a reward!
Whatever your technique is, know your limits! Scheduling a time for mandatory breaks will prevent you from overbooking yourself and experiencing burnout. You should never feel guilty for taking some time for yourself. Shut your computer, watch a good movie or show, eat delicious snacks, or prepare a nice meal. Your assignment will always be there once you decide it's a good time to pick it back up.
If you feel lonely and overwhelmed with classes, we recommend studying with friends! Even if these sessions might not be as productive as a solo session, studying in a group can be an excellent way to “kill two birds with one stone.” It lets you feel productive because you are taking some time to study, but it also fights that urge to hovel up into your hermit hole and end up feeling even more removed. It gets you chatting and being academic all at the same time—which is a definite win-win.
If you are still feeling lonely, FaceTime or call family members or friends back home that you might be missing. Even if the conversation is short, talking to people over the phone can sometimes help with homesickness.
Don’t feel guilty for feeling lackluster in the middle of the semester. It happens to more people than you think. You are not alone!