Winter is the cruelest of quarters. One day you’re making merry and ringing in the new year, the next you’re expected to have read all of your coursework and to bounce back to student life with the youth and agility of, well, a student…
If you feel the winter quarter sads, try these quick tips to stay motivated for your classes:
1. Jazz up your dorm room
Cheap and cheerful are the operative words here. Because of winter’s short days and long nights, your little space can easily turn gloomy, which in turn will affect your mood and how well you study there. Try injecting some extra light with the help of an inexpensive box of Christmas tree lights. It’ll feel like the good winter cheer never left.
You can find other dorm room decorating ideas on this eNotes Pinterest board.
2. Invest in a light therapy box
Similar to above, if you live somewhere cold getting enough of the sun’s rays can make or break your winter blues. Unless you’re fortunate enough to live in the sunshine state this time of year, you may want to invest in a light therapy box for your desk. Mayo Clinic has some helpful information on how they’re used to treat SAD (Seasonal affective disorder). You may also want to replenish the Vitamin D you’ll be missing with nutrition or supplements.
3. Break up a boring routine
Yes, routines can be great, but if you feel you’re falling into a winter quarter slump because of the day-to-day drudgery of classes, punctuated only by more studying and mealtimes, get out there and find something fun to break up your routine. You could join a club, apply for an internship, audition for the school play, or plan an outing with friends. Anything that gives you something exciting to look forward to is a good thing.
And that, my friends, is how you win winter. Enjoy the season!
