The end of the semester is nearly on the horizon, and if we are all being honest, it has been on our minds since the start of the semester. College is a stressful time with so many different things going on: assignments, projects, papers, midterms and finals. Keeping up with all of these expectations without a doubt becomes more difficult if you are wishing the time away.
It is difficult not to become overwhelmed with all of the expectations that ensure with being a full-time college student. For me, I have a few coping strategies in hopes of maintaining my GPA, grades and a positive outlook on things.
To me, it is very important to wake up on the right side of the bed in the morning, if you know what I mean. When I wake up, I literally lay in my bed and think good thoughts about the day. To my roommates, I probably look outrageously lazy and hopeless while I lay staring at the blank ceiling, but waking up and allotting time to give yourself reassurance that the day can and will be conquered is a very important step to every single one of my days. I believe that your day can go positively or negatively depending on how you look at the day as you wake up.
I try pretty hard not to let myself procrastinate on assignments, but at times it does happen. Sometimes I get caught up in doing things that seem more fun, but time management is key. Allot yourself time to enjoy yourself, but also be sure to remember why you are at college: to gain a degree and hopefully score a successful career path. While those fun things may seem more important to you now, pushing off assignments just causes a snowball effect later on. If you have homework and want to do outside activities, take your homework outside. Having a good work environment is very beneficial for completing adequate assignments, so allow yourself to relax in the sun while you complete your homework.
In the time in which I am free, I like to go exploring and get my mind and body off campus. This can vary from taking day trips home, to taking day trips to surrounding areas. I myself have always used the outdoors as a way to free my mind and keep positive, so I often hike and enjoy the warm weather while I can. It is so important to form a habit and an outlet in which you can allow your stress to be released. College is overwhelming, but having an outlet that you can escape to can really ease the mental stress that is often felt by students.
Overall, I am getting through the semester just like everyone else: taking everything day by day. Wake up, give yourself a motivational speech or at least think good thoughts, develop an outlet to release your stress, and do your best to avoid procrastination. There are still things to be done before we can completely surrender and enjoy summer, so remember the passions and goals that lead you to attend college and just take it day by day.
