Establish a Structured Routine
- Time Management: Use tools like planners, apps, or calendars to organize daily tasks and commitments.
- Prioritize Rest: Ensure consistent sleep patterns and allocate time for relaxation.
- Plan Ahead: Schedule meals, breaks, and downtime to maintain energy and balance throughout the day.
Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
- Mindfulness Practices: To reduce stress, engage in meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises. Explore wellness apps such as the MindShift app.
- Breaks: Take short, regular breaks during study sessions to prevent burnout.
- Campus Resources: Access counselling services or mental health workshops. Health and Counselling Services offer single-session counselling and a wide range of groups.
Build a Support Network
- Social Connections: Join clubs, attend events through campus activities, or participate in group activities to build friendships.
- Reach Out: Share struggles with trusted friends, family, or mentors. Drop by the Wellness Desk to connect with the navigators
Set Realistic Academic Goals
- SMART Goals: Break tasks into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound steps.
- Combat Perfectionism: Focus on progress, not perfection, and accept that mistakes are part of learning. Emotions and thought patterns often get in the way of initiating a task. Fear of failure, of making mistakes, or not knowing where to start can lead to a freeze mode. Watch these clips to learn more about the cycle of procrastination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_iMY7YgCg8
- Celebrate Achievements: Reward yourself for completing milestones, no matter how small.