Adjusting Stress-Free to a New School Year
By Lauren Martyn
After a relaxing summer without many responsibilities, it can be overwhelming to jump back into a brand new semester. Pretty soon, your to-do list is piling up and your workload starts to feel difficult to manage. Between classes, assignments, campus activities, extracurriculars, and reconnecting with your friends, it may seem as though you do not have enough time in the day. Before you start to worry, know that there are many ways to transition stress-free back into the school year.
As college students, we have many responsibilities, and we often forget to take time for ourselves. For me, mapping out my days and scheduling out time for myself helps me to be most productive. After attending classes and doing homework, I always ensure that I am setting aside time to do things that I love. Personally, I find that when I take time to move my body, eat meals with friends, read a book that I love, or even just relax and watch a movie or show, I am able to get more accomplished in my days. I get to look forward to doing the things that I love, and in return I get excited about checking things off of my to-do list. Incorporating time into your day that you can look forward to makes completing your work more rewarding, and I find that this trick pushes me to work more efficiently.
I truly believe that college life does not have to be stressful. Take this time in your life to step out of your comfort zone and try things you never thought you would do before. Looking for new clubs to join on campus or trying out a new workout class offered here can provide you with new opportunities and outlets. It may seem as though we have too much on our plate and too little time to do it, but with a little time-management and self-care, you will feel capable of handling it all.
Taking time to step back from your school work and enjoy yourself is so beneficial and helps to prevent burnout. It is totally normal to feel overwhelmed with all of the changes that come with a new semester. Do not jump into anything until you are ready, and know that adjustments like these take time. Most importantly, be patient with yourself, and enjoy where you are at right now.
