Five Solutions to the Mid-Quarter Slump

By Kersten Jaeger on February 4, 2013

It’s just about the middle of the quarter here at the University of Denver, and motivation is plummeting. All around campus there are cries of stress and exhaustion. The clothes have transitioned from cute coats and pants to sweaters and sweat pants, and a frequent character on campus is the slump-shouldered, coffee-holding zombie student – you know, the one who is basically sleepwalking to every class?

It’s four weeks into a ten-week quarter here, and it’s time for some solutions to the slump.

[These are in no particular order because everyone knows what works for them personally and the ranking of this will therefore be different for each individual person]

5. Take a Break

There have been multiple studies done that prove that taking short breaks in between long periods of work can increase productivity and help prevent becoming burnt out. The key is to find something that soothes you. For some people this could be going for a quick run, or doing some jumping jacks in their room. Often times people find stretching to be very calming and meditative. Playing music, watching a twenty minute tv show, going for walk, even taking a shower, are all ideas that can help rest your mind. Moving around is generally a good idea because it will get your blood flowing and your energy up. However, if it is freezing outside or you’re exhausted or you just don’t enjoy walking, then power naps have also been proving to boost productivity, as long as they are between fifteen and twenty minutes. The key is to find your personal relaxation technique.

4. Leave

Just go. If you always study in your room, leave and go to a coffee shop or an empty classroom. If you always study in the same study room, then switch it up and go somewhere else. Studying in the same location for too many hours can make it a negative location. It will have a feeling of difficult work and long hours and you’ll get tired before you even enter the room. So go somewhere else. A fresh space will refresh your mind and work will become much more manageable.

3. Take a Day Off

When I say “day”, it does not have to be a full twenty-four hours – think of it more as a “half day off.” Students lead very busy lives filled with classes, schoolwork, and jobs, so it can often seem as if there is only time for work. There is, actually, enough time to have fun. Once a week, it is very important to take a day off work. This does not mean necessarily the entire day, but a solid chunk of at least five hours needs to be pure, unadulterated fun – no thoughts of “to do’s” allowed! There is nothing like a day hanging out and watching movies, or going to the park, or going for a hike, or going out for a long lunch to clear and refresh the mind. It is amazing how much more will be accomplished by taking a half day off and then cracking down on the work as opposed to drudging along for an entire Saturday not really getting much done. I have many friends with double majors, with demanding engineering majors, with sports and jobs to go to, but they all are able to take their half day off.

2. Breathe

Getting outside and taking in the fresh air is super revitalizing, even if it’s just a walk to a neighboring building to borrow a textbook. Even two minutes spent outside replaces the stale, recycled air in your lungs with fresh cool air. Outside is not for everyone, of course, but breathing is still very important. When feeling especially stressed, it can be very beneficial to play some calming music, close your eyes, and just take deep breaths for a minute or so. It is almost a form of amateur meditation and it can really help release some stress so you’re able to accomplish some work. Also, resting your eyes from your textbook or computer screen is always a good idea (and it prevents headaches).

1. Do Something Productive

Often it can feel like a waste of time to be watching tv or just wandering on a walk, and in this case it can be helpful to find somewhere to volunteer or find something around your campus to get involved in so you’re doing something. It will be a feeling of accomplishment, while still providing a break from schoolwork. If a volunteer opportunity isn’t available, then searching for available activities on campus can be helpful. Here at DU, specifically, there are movie nights in an auditorium on Thursdays (a perfect two hour break), there are art exhibits displayed in the Schwayder Art Building on campus (a rest from work, while still keeping your mind sharp), and there are almost weekly lectures (an intellectual break). If all else fails, there are always crossword puzzles and Sudoku.

Remember, there is always time for a break, and it is better to work without distraction for shorter periods of time with frequent breaks, than to work long hours not entirely focused on the work.

 

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