Hey Gaels!

 

As we head into the last stride of the semester before exam season, I wanted to reflect on the past month. It’s been eventful, to say the least. The constant stream of quizzes, assignments, and presentations has kept me busy, but I am glad that I was able to keep up. However, I’m already looking back to what I did well and how I can change my behaviour for next midterm season. No matter what year you are in, now is a great time to look back and do the same. How did the midterm season go for you?

 

I had to make some sacrifices to meet all my deadlines last month. I have various non-academic commitments, and I even had to step down temporarily from my role in a club. I was very hesitant to do so because I enjoyed my role within the team very much. I also don’t like stopping something before the job is done. I get a lot of satisfaction from completing tasks to the fullest extent possible: doing so motivates me for future jobs.

 

However, after creating a to-do list for the entire month, many of my responsibilities clashed with one another. I knew that I would not have helped this particular club to the best of my ability. I spoke to fellow executives, who were very understanding of my situation. My tasks were delegated to other team members who had the time to complete them. Now as my schedule has cleared out, I am helping my team members in return by doing additional roles now that they have busier schedules.

 

What this experience taught me was the importance of planning ahead, communicating with others, and—most importantly—taking a step back when needed. My teammates were so considerate: I got the time I needed to work on my other tasks, and I didn’t let the team down by not doing my part as planned. So if you feel that you might need to take a step back, don’t bottle up all your stress and worry! Express it to your teammates, co-workers, or anyone else who can help you navigate through and around your busy periods.

 

It’s hard to believe that I only have one midterm season left of my undergrad career! Even though the midterm rush has come to an end, most of us still have lots of assignments to complete before finals. We’re all in the same boat, we’re all busy, but as my semester is calming down a little, I’m trying to take it slow this week. I’m spending some time with friends and enjoying what’s left of the fall colours. I think we all deserve a little break after stressful weeks of studying and preparing for midterms.

 

During these busy times of the academic year, it is easy to overlook mental and emotional well-being. But there are simple habits that we can incorporate into our everyday life that can help us cope with stress. Here are three that I find helpful:

 

  • Being active. It feels good to get outside and surround yourself with nature. Pop in those earbuds and go on a walk, this helps to get away from the distractions of everyday things and to clear your mind. Getting out of your room even for a while—to go for a quick walk by the lake, to grab some food with friends, or to study in the library for an environment change—can be a real boost.
  • Connecting with family and friends. I often feel happier and rejuvenated after spending quality time with my closest friends and family. Last weekend, I dressed up for a Halloween party with my friends. That motivated me to catch up on my work so I didn’t feel guilty about taking time out.
  • Eating and sleeping well. I know it’s hard to maintain a good eating and sleeping schedule when you feel like you have a million things to get done, but you will feel more stressed and work slower if you don’t eat or sleep. Your brain gets as tired as your body. We all have those nights where we have to stay up to finish a paper, so napping is a good way of getting the rest you need.

 

I hope you all have a successful November, and make sure to take care of yourselves! I will catch up with all in the next edition of my SASS blog!

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