Ditch the Christmas break hangover: Five back-to-school tips
It may look like everyone on campus has a hangover this morning. The truth is, they do: a Christmas vacation hangover.
Coming back to school in Logan for spring semester feels like stepping off the plane into the blizzards of North Dakota after a three-week hiatus to Hawaii. Physically, it is enough to send the body into cardiac arrest, and mentally it’s a load on the brain that can send even the most ambitious student into a coma.
There are quite a few adjustments to be made from vacation life to school life because it is highly unlikely that everyone spent their vacation waking up at 6 a.m., working out, studying biology notes, working eight hours and eating cheap tacos for dinner. It’s more likely that most Aggies slept in, watched Star Wars, counted the walk to the fridge as the daily workout and overate mom’s homemade lasagna and rolls.
While it is sad to leave vacation life behind, school has started and it’s time to “get back into the swing of things.” Try these suggestions. They might be more effective than moaning, whining and beating your head against the wall trying to break out of brain coma.
Gradually ask your body to wake up early again.
Work back into the 6 o’clock routine by setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier each morning. By Friday you should be back on schedule, just in time to sleep in again over the weekend as a reward! If all else fails, just fall out of bed. You can’t sleep forever on a cold floor.
Work back into full speed at the gym.
Don’t kid yourself and think you’re going to run six miles in record time the first day back in the gym. Start with a reasonable goal or you’ll run the risk of getting extremely faint and falling off the treadmill. Add speed, time and weight each day.
Accept the reality of cheap food.
Mom can’t come back to college with you. You might not even want her too, but her cooking sure would be nice. Too bad, it’s never going to happen. You have survived this long on cereal, noodles and tacos. You can make it another semester.
Pull out your planner and find a pen.
Grab a 2016 planner and map out your class schedule, work schedule, study times, workout sessions and free time. Pencil it all in. It will make you feel better to see how it all fits together. You won’t suffer from the anxiety that comes with not having your life together. Even if you have to muscle through being efficient the first week, you will catch up to yourself.
Study easy classes first to wake your brain up.
Don’t go home from class and jump right into your molecular biology book. Just don’t. Your brain really isn’t ready for it. Pick your easiest class and work through that material. So what if it feels like kindergarten stuff? Your brain has to work back into high gear, just like muscles.
If, despite these suggestions, coma does overtake you, leave a note for your roommates to take you to the Student Wellness Center. They can help you.
— Ellie Dalton is a sophomore studying agricultural communication. She didn’t follow all of her own advice about “getting back to school” and is now suffering from mild anxiety.