Can you believe that it's already April? Just think about that.
After experiencing the multiple snow days of Snowpocolypse 2015 and then Spring Break right after that, it almost feels like I've been thrust into the final stretch of the semester without warning. Readjusting to actually having full weeks of class has been a very strange process. From what I've gathered, I'm not the only one with this feeling.
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| How does studying work, again? Think, think, think... Source |
Make a De-Stress Playlist. Music has been scientifically proven to have major effects on mood. There's a reason that music therapy is a legitimate field of psychology. In terms of stress relief, music can play a powerful role in calming you down. Here is a list of songs found to be among the most calming in the world. It includes the likes of Enya, Mozart, and even Adele's Someone Like You (maybe that's why it was such a smash hit!).
Clean Your Room. I totally sound like a concerned mom with this one, but hear me out. Cleaning your room can actually have a positive effect on your mood. Having a messy room can leave you feeling distracted and like you have unfinished business all around you. After tidying up, your brain won't have to work as hard to ignore all the clutter. So, put on some pump up music and get to cleaning! Even if you only spend 15 minutes doing it, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that will leave you happier and much less stressed.
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| I'm right there with you, Britney. Source |
Keep a hobby. If you're anything like me, you might feel like "free time" has become some kind of foreign concept. There's a lot of pressure to keep busy at a place like Tufts, but constantly being stressed about school work just isn't good for you. Don't slack off and let your academics suffer, but prioritize doing things that make you happy. Having a hobby - whether it be something athletic, artistic, intellectual, or spiritual - can offer you a valuable way to relax.
Get off campus. Being in a certain environment can definitely affect your mood. If you've been spending all day studying like mad, campus might equate with stress for you. Going somewhere that doesn't have that same stressful association can be very healing. It could be as simple as talking a walk to Davis Square, or you could even take advantage of the amazing places all around Boston that are just a T ride away.
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Hang out with friends. If you're a graduating senior, this is super important. Make time to socialize with friends, especially those who might be moving away after graduation! Once midterms wind down (or even if it doesn't), go out and do fun things with the people who helped make Tufts home for you. Friendships are one of the most integral parts of the college experience, so don't take them for granted.
As I'm sure you all know first-hand, college can be stressful. This is especially true if you're like me, about to graduate and become a Real Adult™. However, you can definitely combat that stress by setting time away to treat yourself to nice things. Live a little (or a lot). You'll feel a million times better, I promise.
Signing off,
Kelly F. Vieira
Class of 2015
