The worst part about Thanksgiving break is obviously when it’s over and you’re rolling into class on Monday.
In reality, the only thing worse than seeing assignments and your to-do list grow as the end of the semester creeps up, is actually being teased by this short break. It’s just like Spring break teasing us before summer.
Let’s face it: in the days just before the break, you’re always so excited for it because you could seriously use the time off… but then you get spoiled with down time and delicious food that makes you not want to finish the last few days of the semester. Am I right?
In all seriousness, you don’t have to let these last few days be a drag and drain you to the very core, if you don’t let them. Here’s 4 tips on how to get back into a productive routine after Thanksgiving break and finish the semester with a bang.
1. Get your full 8 hours of sleep.
This one may seem cliché or obvious, but when was the last time you actually had enough sleep on a school night? Getting enough sleep during busy and stressful weeks is essential for having productive days and a focused mindset. And trust me, I know what it’s like to not have enough time in your schedule for sleep… but it’s important to listen to your body.
2. Confirm all of your deadlines ASAP.
Probably one of the scariest things you could hear at the beginning of class is your professor asking everyone to turn in an assignment that was assigned over a month ago that you thought was due next week. Especially since the whole Hurricane Irma situation, deadlines have shifted a bit and your syllabus is probably a few days off schedule.
So, email your professors… like, yesterday… or ask your peers what’s due when to avoid more all-nighters than you’re already destined for.
This also helps gives you a better sense of time management, and less stressful all-nighters.
3. Don’t forget to fuel your body.
Aside from getting enough sleep, fueling your body with the right food is also super important to getting back on track after carb-loading it up during Thanksgiving. Chances are, you’re coming back feeling a little sluggish and blah… so, try eating healthy meals during these next few days to give your body that much needed energy boost. Instead of a grabbing a bag of chips or M&M’s on your way to class, opt for a banana or fruit smoothie.
With a busy schedule, I know it’s easy to skip meals… but, seriously, don’t. In order to perform well on the outside, you’ve got to take care of what’s on the inside (super cheesy, I know).
4. Don’t try to do it all at once.
With the end of the semester so close, I know sometimes it’s hard not to try to just cram everything into one or two days so that you can just relax already… but that’s not exactly the best or smartest way to get things done. If you cram things, you won’t give it the best that you can. You’ll just be taking short cuts or doing what’s easiest and less time consuming.
In order to finish the semester strong, plan out your study time with enough breaks in between to let all the information sink in. Do one thing at a time to be more efficient, and to avoid going crazy.
Hopefully these tips will help get you back on track, like they’ve helped me so far. We’re almost done, my friends… let’s do this!