Recent News
Share thisTips to Make it Through the Winter Slump
As the excitement of the beginning of the semester starts to wear off, you may find yourself struggling a bit with the winter blues and stress that is building as the demands of the semester become a reality.
Here are a few tips to consider:
Manage Stress, Practice Self-Care & Stay Healthy
Your stress will be reduced if you take care of yourself. If you are dealing with issues beyond your ability to handle on your own, reach out to others. This may mean making an appointment with the Counseling Center on campus to talk through issues and garner support. Or it may look like talking to a trusted friend or confidant. During this time of the semester, tempers can be shorter and tensions tend to increase. Get ahead of the curve and be proactive in managing the increasing stress. Here are a few tips to help relieve the pressure:
- Get enough sleep: It may be tempting to stay up all night, but not getting enough rest can increase your stress level. Studies show that people are less apt to get sick if they get sufficient sleep.
- Eat well: Junk food can decrease energy levels; make sure you are drinking lots of water, eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
- Exercise even just a little bit! 20 minutes a day can reduce stress levels. Pick something you like as if you hate it, you’re not going to continue.
- Get emotional support: Reach out to a friend who you know won’t be “judgy” or will try to give lots of advice and trust the Counseling Center for recommendations.
Avoid Claustrophobia
It’s easy to start to feel cooped up during the cold winter months – especially when it may feel like a deep freeze (like we had on Jan. 30-31!) It’s too easy to get the end of a busy day and feel like you didn’t make time for friends and personal development; so you just stay in. It’s important to plan time to get out! Schedule time for a workout or to spend time at a coffee shop (or somewhere else) that brings you joy. Sit near the windows when the sun is out and soak in the rays; it’s possible even in the winter! Scheduling time for activities helps you think about what you want to achieve in a day, week or month.
Take Charge of Your Academic Life
If you notice that you are starting to struggle in a class, this is the time to reach out to the Learning Center and hire a tutor or attend a study group. This could prove to be invaluable! Also, don’t forget to do the simple things to succeed such as attending all your classes and doing your homework. And if you are working your hardest and still struggling, reach out for additional support in the Learning Center or to a trusted faculty or staff member or the Office of Student Success at arrendell_tabitha@roberts.edu.
It’s pretty easy to use some of these strategies to help you reduce stress and to help you soar like the Redhawk you are! Going to college can feel like a lot of pressure at times; you are going to feel challenged and being a student may not always be easy. Make sure you keep planning to get your academic work done and to make time for activities and events with friends. In the end your degree will be worth it!
For more information on the Learning Center, visit https://www.roberts.edu/
For more information on the Counseling Center, visit https://www.roberts.edu/student-experience/counseling-center/
For more news articles, you can take a look at our archive.