Monday, February 16, 2015

Get out of the Snow Day(s) Slump!

I never thought I would say this, but I'm done with snow days. That's right, I'm done. I'm over it. I remember the pre-Boston part of my life, when my Mom warned me about the notorious New England snow. I knew that Boston would have a little more snow than home, but I never imagined it would be this bad! As a New Yorker, I never thought snow was much of a problem, until now. With these unscheduled mini-vacations all of my work has come to a standstill. It's so hard to be productive when you don't know if there will be school tomorrow.


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This post will be for all those, like me, who have yet to return to Tufts normalcy. Covering the fundamental steps for getting back on track can help restart your school productivity and get your brain back in gear. With the unprecedented number of snow days this semester, several professors will be trying to find alternative ways to compress more topics and work into fewer school days. This definitely could be a stressor in the upcoming weeks, especially with the looming shadow of midterm exams. Yeah, I said it. Midterms are coming. So, here are a few simple ways to spark your work productivity after days of procrastination and to ensure you are mentally and physically ready for the approaching storm.

Time Management
Starting with time management is a good thing, as most stress is caused by not managing your time well and resulting in the build up of stress. Reducing the stress caused by juggling courses, activities, and your job and internship search is the first step of recovery from Snowpocalyse 2015. Using a planner or an application such as iCalendar, can help set you on the right track. According to this Forbes article practicing time management is not only effective for work productivity but it's also better for your health. Scheduling your life weeks ahead of time and putting it to paper, or online, will not only result in better productivity, but will make it more likely you will complete your tasks. Procrastinators: I'm talking to you. If you need a first step towards digging out from the pile of work that has accumulated like the snow here in Boston, start by mapping out how much time and when you will dedicate to each project.


"Organize your daily and weekly work goals!"
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Academic Resources
There are a variety of resources available at Tufts for students who are feeling stressed because they have a lot of work to do. Take advantage of Tufts Counseling and Mental Health Services.  They have a variety of tools to help you de-stress. They even have a Relaxation Room with a biofeedback chair and massage chair so you can truly relax. Look for departments to host massage sessions, particularly around exam time!

Places of Productivity
Are you tired of Club Tisch? Here is a list of places to catch up on all that work. Try to study in different locations from time to time. According to US News studying in different areas helps with memory retention.


"Find a place where you're productive!"
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  • Ginn Library- NOTE: You may have to dress up to fit in with the stylish Fletcher graduate students
  • Eaton Computer Lab- Open late night, great for writing papers
  • Mayer Campus Center- Food, lighting, great ambiance. 5 stars.
  • Tisch Library- Classic Tufts study spot
  • Starbucks (Davis Square)- Off campus, free wifi, and trendy
  • Tamper (Boston Ave.)- Great tables, modern feel
  • Danish Pastry House (Boston Ave.)- Pastries for days!

Recalling Kelly's post on Self-Care, be sure that you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and getting some time outdoors (unless it's subzero). Cabin fever is real, so get some sun and try moving around more. Head to Tisch Athletic Complex, where it's totally acceptable to read while on the elliptical or bike!

I hope this post will help inspire you to get back on track after these crazy snow days. I remember saying that "Winter is Coming," but I really didn't think it would be this bad. Good luck to everyone taking on this snow and this weird semester, and remember to "Treat Yo Self!"

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016