Beat The Infamous “Mid-Semester Slump” By Incorporating These Tips And Tricks Into Your Routine
As we enter October, the weather gets colder, and fall is in full swing. Many of us start getting excited for sweater weather and spooky season.
However, if you’re a college student, you could be entering what will be the hardest part of your first semester of the school year.
When I was a college student, I would enter a ‘mid-semester slump’ in the middle of each semester, which tended to hit me the hardest in the fall.
After all, it’s that moment where you started the semester with a bang, had all of this energy for studying and socializing, and then you realized you still have finals and a lot of work ahead of you.
Entering a mid-semester slump is super common and typically involves college students feeling burnt out, unmotivated, tired, and even a little depressed.
If you’ve found yourself in that situation, have no fear, as I’m about to give you some tips on how to push through it.
Get some extra sleep.
Late nights in college are like a rite of passage, but if you’re feeling extra tired these days, prioritize getting extra sleep each night. It’s hard not to suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out) in school, especially if you go to a big party school, but I promise you, you have years of partying left in you.
Take some time to wind down on weekday evenings, and ensure you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep at night.
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Drink water.
In the middle of the semester, students often consume extra caffeine and energy drinks to get through intense study sessions. However, many forget to follow up that caffeine with water. If you’ve been feeling run down these days, chances are, you’re not getting enough water in throughout the day.
I know drinking an appropriate amount of water daily won’t solve all of your problems, but it will help your energy levels, digestion, and overall well-being.
Spend some more time outside.
In many parts of the U.S., it’s going to get too cold to hang out outside anymore. So, take advantage of a nice day out whenever you can. Fresh air often makes people feel better when going through a funk, so invite some friends to have lunch outside or just go for a mid-day walk to clear your head.
Prioritize one rest day a week.
If you attend a school with many social events on top of classes, try your best to reserve one night of the week for resting and chilling at home and in your dorm. It should be a night where you’re not drinking but going to bed at a decent time, eating a good meal, and doing something you enjoy.
While it might sound lame, rest days are important for your body and mental health, so prioritize them.
Join a student support group.
Mental healthcare on college campuses has come a long way over the last few years. Many campuses offer student support groups where students can open up about various topics and issues.
Consider attending a support group meeting and see if you feel better after learning that you’re not going through this alone. Who knows, maybe you’ll make some new friends!
Talk to your professors.
When your mid-semester slump starts interfering with your grades, you need to speak up and talk to your professor. Unfortunately, some college classes are way too large for a professor to know their students on a more personal level. Therefore, not every professor will be able to know when something is going on with you.
If your grades are slipping in class because of your slump, talk to your professor about getting extensions on a few assignments or extra credit. Let them know the semester has been tough on you, but you’re working toward getting back on track.
If you don’t feel safe enough around your professors to talk to them, try speaking with your academic advisor to see if they can help mediate a conversation.
Treat yourself
Taking all these steps to get out of your slump takes bravery, vulnerability, and a lot of emotional energy, so don’t forget to treat yourself occasionally! Just remember to treat yourself with positive stuff like your favorite dessert, a trip to the nail salon, or a new outfit, not another drink or a mid-afternoon nap when you’re supposed to be in class.
As fun as college can be, it can also be really difficult sometimes, so don’t forget to be kind to yourself. You’re on campus to figure out who you want to be and get your degree, so try to make the most of your time there.
Remember, if you ever feel like you can’t get out of your slump, talk to a loved one or nearby counselor and get the help you deserve. You got this!
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