The college experience has only begun for our freshman students, and it’s only going to be more challenging in the years to come. With deadlines and exams on the horizon, how do we keep our cool?
Take a breather
Although the pressure of doing well in academics is real, it’s important to remember that you have your limits as a human being.
We often hear “ang tulog nababawi, ang grades hindi” – but does not resting really benefit us in the long run? According to Healthline, sleep deprivation puts all of your body systems at risk – making you more vulnerable to mood swings, flu, heart diseases, and more.
But we’ve heard that narrative time and again, and we can just recover our sleeping hours later. Why maintain sleep, then?
During waking hours, well-rested people can think on their feet more quickly. This is especially important for exams and unannounced quizzes. Being well-rested can also put you in a better disposition – that’s why you often hear “wala sigurong tulog ‘yan, ‘no?” when people spot others who are grumpier and more irritable than usual.
Especially in a course that specializes in working with people, you’d want to have enough energy to have good interactions with them.
So when you feel that you’re at your limit, freshen up. Take a bath. Eat. Sleep if you need to. Just remember to set an alarm – if you can’t trust yourself to wake up on time, keep practicing.
Do what you like doing
If you don’t think that sleeping will help you relax, allow yourself to engage in activities that you enjoy doing. If you have any hobbies – such as singing, playing an instrument, making art, playing a sport – bring them out!
The reason why I can confidently suggest this now is because I found myself (and my friends) scrolling through social media despite wanting to use the time to work. If you’re not in a state of mind ready to work, you’re not going to get anything done.
The mind has its ways of diverting attention away from what it considers stressors. If you can’t use the time to work, you might as well do things that you particularly enjoy. Chances are that if you’re in a good disposition after doing the things that you like, you’ll be glad to have found time for yourself, and you’ll get back to the workspace more energized.
Take a step back
If rest isn’t enough to get you back on track, there might be something else that’s bothering you. Did you forget something? Did something happen today that upset you? Do you need to let something out?
If so, it’ll help a lot to take a step back and piece things together. Try to make sense of what puzzles you. Did you know that you can also use the problematique method in your own life? Try it if you haven’t yet. Chances are that you’ll find something that you weren’t able to see before – but know which things are in your control.
And if you can’t do it on your own, that’s all right. Different people have different needs. Call a trusted friend if you need to. Study together, or just hang out. What’s important is that you’re eventually able to get yourself back on track.
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