Midterm Season Tips: Self-Care Shouldn't Be on the Back Burner
Why is it that the busiest people are the most put together?
They're the first to respond to your emails and always "look the part," running with a coffee in hand. This is the archetype of the perfect Penn student.
It's because they establish small, effective routines and never compromise on the daily habits that set them apart from the sleep-deprived, coffee-dependent rest of us.The moment you stop making time for yourself, you give up control and let burnout take over.
Let's be real: the IT girl aesthetic on social media is glamorized and far from reality. It's not feasible to wake up at 5am, work out, and be in bed by 9pm when Penn students are juggling midterms, classes, club meetings, and going out. So where in the world is there time to take care of yourself?
Courtesy of Pinterest
Here are some self-care tips to maximize your efficiency and keep you motivated when time and bandwidth are limited.
Try task-stacking. Pair a passive, automatic task with a demanding one. If Elle Woods can walk on the treadmill while reading her law textbook, so can you.
Plan your outfit the night before. Still want to be stylish but have barely any time in the morning? Pick out an outfit the night before and lay it out.
Stick to staples. Invest in a few basics that you can pair with anything, like a cozy cardigan, good jeans, and a go-to jacket, so getting dressed takes no thought.
Romanticize your routine. Go to an aesthetic coffee shop and get your favorite drink. Changing your scenery can make studying feel less like a chore.
Find your lock-in buddy. Studying with a friend makes the grind less isolating and keeps you accountable.
Make time for movement. Whether it's a quick walk around Locust listening to Dua Lipa or Charli XCX's BRAT on repeat, or simply observing the beauty of fall, movement alleviates stress. We're all susceptible to Penn Face, so even a 15-minute walk can reset your mind and clear away the negativity weighing you down.
Create a hype playlist. Listen to your favorite hype song while getting ready, from applying your SPF to putting your boots on.
Rest, rest, rest. Beauty sleep is essential, and in midterm season it's easy to fall into the all-nighter trap. Memory consolidation happens during REM sleep, so sleep counts as studying. Productive studying isn't about the number of hours spent mindlessly reviewing slides.
Taking care of yourself shouldn't be a luxury but a necessity. Take the time, even if it's just 5 minutes, to integrate these tips into your day—they'll make all the difference.
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