4 answers
Hugo
Student
Riverside, California
4
Questions
Asked
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What was your last quarter of freshman year at college or any year like?
Like others on Reddit, I feel very burnt out for the last quarter of the school year. My way to cope with this quarter was to have a snack while doing homework to distract me from my energy levels. Sometimes I take a longer walk back to my dorm for a longer break. This quarter happens to be exponentially harder than my last two. What are other ways can you recommend me to spend my downtime doing?
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4 answers
Morelia Morel
Pre-medical Undergraduate student/CNA
4
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
Morelia’s Answer
I get you so much! These past few weeks of college have been extremely tiring for me as well! Here are some of the ways that have help me de-stress and push through these final weeks!
1) Taking a cold shower: the shock of the cold shower can help release endorphins which might help reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety.
2) Working out: Even if it's going for a run, keeping your body active helps your mind come down!
3) Reading: weather reading a novel or a comic book, reading is a way to scape the stress of the day to day
4)Naps: sometimes all you need is a 20-30 minute Power Nap in order to feel refreshen and so much better.
5) Other good suggestions: Meditation, listening to music, drinking tea, and eating good food!
You are almost there! You got this :)
1) Taking a cold shower: the shock of the cold shower can help release endorphins which might help reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety.
2) Working out: Even if it's going for a run, keeping your body active helps your mind come down!
3) Reading: weather reading a novel or a comic book, reading is a way to scape the stress of the day to day
4)Naps: sometimes all you need is a 20-30 minute Power Nap in order to feel refreshen and so much better.
5) Other good suggestions: Meditation, listening to music, drinking tea, and eating good food!
You are almost there! You got this :)
Thank you for the advice, Morelia.
Hugo
Jason White
Lead Product Manager- Network Security
68
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hello Hugo,
As we approach the end of the semester, I'd like to share a piece of advice with you - the importance of taking regular breaks and scheduling them in advance. This advice stems from a valuable lesson I learned during my school days, the concept of "diminishing returns". This is the point where putting in more effort doesn't necessarily yield better results, but can actually lead to poorer performance.
Imagine you're working hard, pushing yourself to the limit, and you're so exhausted that you start making more mistakes. That's your cue to pause, head home, and recharge. Engage in a different activity for a while. The more you recognize this point, the better you'll be at predicting when it's approaching. Eventually, you'll be able to foresee when you'll need a break days ahead, allowing you to plan accordingly. Whether it's hitting the gym, attending a social gathering, or indulging in some gaming, it's all up to you.
Incorporating regular breaks into your schedule and setting these limits is immensely beneficial, particularly as you progress through college and into graduate school.
As we approach the end of the semester, I'd like to share a piece of advice with you - the importance of taking regular breaks and scheduling them in advance. This advice stems from a valuable lesson I learned during my school days, the concept of "diminishing returns". This is the point where putting in more effort doesn't necessarily yield better results, but can actually lead to poorer performance.
Imagine you're working hard, pushing yourself to the limit, and you're so exhausted that you start making more mistakes. That's your cue to pause, head home, and recharge. Engage in a different activity for a while. The more you recognize this point, the better you'll be at predicting when it's approaching. Eventually, you'll be able to foresee when you'll need a break days ahead, allowing you to plan accordingly. Whether it's hitting the gym, attending a social gathering, or indulging in some gaming, it's all up to you.
Incorporating regular breaks into your schedule and setting these limits is immensely beneficial, particularly as you progress through college and into graduate school.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
334
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Echoing Morelia -- you can do this! Reaching out to us is a great idea as is walking and spending time in nature -- all that you are doing.
Morelia gave you great suggestions, to reiterate / expand:
- Have meals with friends - you need to eat, and the companionship will do you good
- Depending upon your study style and the subject matter, consider study groups
- Depending upon the assignment, consider using college resources, such as a tutoring center or a writing center
- Do stretches, especially in areas like your shoulders where you might carry tension
It sounds like this was an especially tough semester. Maybe reconsider what you signed up for next semester (too many courses or too many of one type of course or too many papers/exams?) so it will be more manageable.
Good luck!
Morelia gave you great suggestions, to reiterate / expand:
- Have meals with friends - you need to eat, and the companionship will do you good
- Depending upon your study style and the subject matter, consider study groups
- Depending upon the assignment, consider using college resources, such as a tutoring center or a writing center
- Do stretches, especially in areas like your shoulders where you might carry tension
It sounds like this was an especially tough semester. Maybe reconsider what you signed up for next semester (too many courses or too many of one type of course or too many papers/exams?) so it will be more manageable.
Good luck!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Hugo
Erin Niday
Senior Consultant
2
Answers
Huron, Ohio
Updated
Erin’s Answer
It's understandable to start to feel a bit burnt out towards the end of a year, especially your first year in college or university, so first off - know you're not alone!
You're doing the right thing asking about how to find ways to recharge during your downtime. What recharges people really varies from person to person. It sounds like you've found some relief taking a longer walk home; it could be helpful to think about what it is, specifically, that you find enjoyable about that activity. Is it being outside? Is it getting a chance to stop and chat with people you pass along the way? Is it the exercise? Reflecting on specific moments when you felt energized can help identify the true cause of that energy burst and can lead you to other activities that might also help.
Because it sounds like you're in college/university, one other idea is to check out one of the events happening on campus in the final weeks of the academic year. Oftentimes student organizations or campus departments will host events to celebrate the end of the year. That could be a good opportunity to recharge now, and you might even find a group that you want to get involved in more when you return in the fall.
You're doing the right thing asking about how to find ways to recharge during your downtime. What recharges people really varies from person to person. It sounds like you've found some relief taking a longer walk home; it could be helpful to think about what it is, specifically, that you find enjoyable about that activity. Is it being outside? Is it getting a chance to stop and chat with people you pass along the way? Is it the exercise? Reflecting on specific moments when you felt energized can help identify the true cause of that energy burst and can lead you to other activities that might also help.
Because it sounds like you're in college/university, one other idea is to check out one of the events happening on campus in the final weeks of the academic year. Oftentimes student organizations or campus departments will host events to celebrate the end of the year. That could be a good opportunity to recharge now, and you might even find a group that you want to get involved in more when you return in the fall.