Lifestyles

Mid-Semester Burnout

November 8, 2007

By Whitney Shaw

The time between midterms and finals can seem like the longest stretch in the semester. Between projects, preparing for finals, and struggling to bring up grades after midterms, many college students struggle to stay motivated long enough to finish the semester strong. However, with a strategy and some self-discipline, the semester can come to an end without the student’s life following suit.

Many professors, whether intentionally or unintentionally, schedule their classes so that the majority of the work is due during the second half of the semester. Many students do not look ahead at the syllabus and are surprised to see everything they have due. One way to remove this stress is to plan ahead. By looking at the syllabi for the classes and writing down on a calendar the important dates coming up, students can be prepared to conquer the coming stress.

However, being aware of coming assignments is not enough to avoid the potentially overwhelming workload. Work still needs to be completed, but by breaking down assignments into smaller pieces and working step by step every day, the task is smaller and easier to complete on time. Cramming everything together the night before is a bad way to finish strong.

Exercise is another strategy to eliminating stress. Whether going to a gym or walking outside, taking a half-hour every day to exercise your body will help calm you mind as well. During exercise, endorphins are released into the brain and help calm stress. While it may be difficult to carve out the time, you may find that you are more productive after releasing some stress.

“There’s good stress and bad stress,” said Shannon Mulcahy, an employee in the MBU records office and a student at St. Charles Community College. “It’s important to stop the bad stress before you get headaches and sick. Work ahead and manage your time, and take time to relax,” Mulcahy said.

College is a hectic time and many students find it difficult to handle the pressure. While it may seem that the only way to get everything done is to lock yourself in your dorm and work, the best thing to do at times is to take a break. Taking time away from the work to have fun is important to being successful. “Make sure everything isn’t work all of the time. Take time to relax with your friends,” said Mulcahy. Work has to be done, but concentrating on other things for a while will leave you refreshed and ready to finish strong.

#   #   #