POV: November as a College Student

There might be very few months that are more stressful for a college student than the month of November. Academic stress is reaching its peak for the semester as final projects, tests, and presentations seem to suddenly be due much more quickly than anticipated. Academic burnout is at an all time high as the end of a long and demanding semester is right around the corner. The holidays and vacations are approaching, and it can be difficult to suppress the urge to neglect academic responsibilities and give in to holiday festivities. In addition to this, seasonal depression begins to hit really hard during this time for some students, including myself. Spending what few hours of daylight there are in class or work only contributes more to making November nothing short of a challenge. Being a senior in college and having experienced this season a few times already, I thought I’d share some tips on how I stay afloat and sane during this taxing time.

Personal Reward System

During this time period when many different things are being asked of me, I have to make it a point to congratulate myself for the tasks that I have already completed. Moving from one assignment or responsibility to the next without taking a breather or acknowledging the work that I’ve already done makes me feel like I’m trapped in an endless cycle of working. To combat this, I use a personal reward system. That might be going to get my favorite food after I’ve submitted work, or ordering a product online that I’ve been keeping my eye on for a while. Whatever the case may be, I make it a point to incorporate positive reinforcement to keep myself in good spirits.

Self Care

It can be easy to neglect tasks with seemingly lower importance such as working out or cooking when it feels like there is always a new deadline to meet. However, I have found that neglecting the things that bring me joy only makes me feel worse about myself. Even if my schedule is packed, I make it a point to care for my inner well-being so that I can perform at my highest level externally.  For me, this looks like getting my nails done on weekends and getting a good workout at least twice a week. Self care might look different for everyone, but it is an imperative part of creating a balance between responsibilities.

Douse Daylight

I am naturally a person who thrives when it is warm and bright for a majority of the day. This means that continuously cold, rainy and windy weather tend to make me feel more discouraged than usual. While I can’t control the weather, something I have found that I can do is make the most of a sunny day when the opportunity presents itself. It’s easy to take the sun for granted in the warmer seasons, but in fall and winter I encourage myself to get out of the house and soak up as much Vitamin D as possible. This act of stepping away from my laptop and regaining some touch with nature helps to calm my mind and alleviate some stress.

These little habits that I have created might not work for everybody, but they sure do make November a lot less daunting for me!