Stuck in September

Right around this time of year, we college students start to feel pretty overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, burnt-out...etc.  You're thinking, "I'm not even 1/3 of the way done with this semester!  I can't keep up like this!"  I'm here to say, that if this is you--you're doing it right, you may just need some encouragement.

#1 It is important to remember that you are NOT the only person feeling this way.  Many people have by now, done at least one of the following:

• failed a quiz or test (or for some of my Honors Society peers--"failed" a quiz or test)
• forgot to turn in an assignment
• slept through an alarm
• regrettably dropped a class
• had a dramatic meltdown
• gained five to ten pounds out of nowhere
• stayed up all night playing GTA instead of studying

Honestly, it comes with the territory; nobody escapes college totally unscathed.  So, ask around.  More than likely you'll find that one of your peers is "right there with ya."  The two of you can take the opportunity to hash-out all that is morbidly wrong with those essay requirements. 

SIDE ANECDOTE (for your present entertainment and future reference):

For me, last week was hell.  The front rotors in my vehicle snapped on my way to class--then a leak in the transmission line was spotted.  Five minutes later, my phone completely broke and my laptop followed by shutting down beyond repair.  I had a plethora of assignments due and exams to study for.  And--wait for it...I wore WHITE shorts on a day of torrential downpour.  I couldn't make this up, folks.  So when you think you've had a particularly rough go, consider an exceptionally frazzled Erica--clutching a fried phone and laptop, with soaking wet hair, running mascara, and shamefully see-through shorts, swiftly approaching you and asking in exasperation to borrow your phone to call a cab, so that she can get to her next class. There--some perspective.

#2  Do yourself a favor and go outside.  It is hard to justify being cooped-up when all you want to do is enjoy the last bit of sunshine before full-blown winter strikes.  The air is cool, the leaves are vibrant, and it feels like perfect go-for-a-walk weather.  So find a place to seriously breathe for a second; maybe take a stroll around the block.  It is amazing what a little blood flow and fresh oxygen can do for your mental and physical health.  Plus, when you find yourself amidst small talk about the weather, you'll actually have an opinion to contribute--compared to the usual blasé agreement with your correspondent.

#3 If you can't possibly endure another minute in the computer lab, change it up a bit. Some classes can be really sterile, making them very challenging.  But trying to focus on sterile subjects in sterile environments is even more of a challenge.  Don't allow your motivation to be stifled by a location.  Head to a local coffee shop, a nearby picnic table, a spot in the back of the cafeteria, a lounge, the public library--anything that can allow you adequate study time but also provide some variety to your study habits.  I could easily credit the passing of my statistics course to my being able to escape to one of my favorite coffee shops--thanks, Brew.

So suck it up, buttercup.  You've got this!  Now get back to work.