Once mid-November hits, every day drags. The stretch between fall break and Thanksgiving is too long and the two weeks between that and winter break are probably the worst two weeks of the year. And when it starts to get dark at 5 p.m., it feels impossible to find the motivation to do anything.
You might not be able to keep the sun out longer, but there are a few things you could do to stave off the seasonal fatigue.
Go outside
I know it’s cold, but even just a walk across campus in the fresh air can help. Switch up your study spots every few hours, get out of the stuffy dorm air and take a break outdoors. If weather permits, the tables outside of Dugout are a great spot to get work done. Take a walk on the Constitution Trail or head to downtown Bloomington if you want a longer break from the grind. Just getting up to move, especially in the fresh air, can do wonders for your focus.
Get food or coffee off campus
If you’re walking downtown, you might as well stop and grab a bite or drink. By this point in the year, everyone’s tired of eating the same SAGA food everyday. Titan Brew might serve Starbucks, but trying a new spot and supporting a local BloNo business is a fun excuse to get off campus. Coffee Hound has pastries, coffee and a good study environment if you’re looking for that vibe. For lunch and dinner, you could drive or take the bus to Uptown Normal. La Bamba has Mexican and sushi, or hit up DP Dough for some calzones.
Call a friend or family member from home
Once we hit November, a lot of people just can’t wait to go home. With finals creeping up, unfortunately it’s not that easy. Even a 20-minute chat with someone who doesn’t go to IWU can help you reconnect with the outside world. We might love it here, but it’s nice to get a break every once in a while.
Take a break from your phone
I know I just said you should call someone to feel better, but hear me out. When you get off the phone, put it down for a little bit. Don’t pretend that when you pick up your phone you don’t open TikTok for a “five-minute break,” but then you check the time and it’s been three hours. On your next study break, talk to your friends, grab a snack or walk around a bit. Try to avoid the endless scroll.
Keep the sad music to a minimum
When the leaves start turning, I know you want to pull out the Noah Kahan and Phoebe Bridgers. Their music just sounds like fall, so it’s the perfect time to stream “Stick Season” or “Punisher.” But if you’re always listening to sad music, chances are you’re going to feel sad, especially on top of the dark, dreary weather. I’m not saying you have to turn it off completely, but maybe don’t start out your day with it.
Take a day for yourself
With finals coming up it may seem like you can’t catch a break from the workload. Even with all of the stress and assignments piling up, it’s not a bad thing to take a break. I’m not telling you to make cutting class a habit, but a day every once in a while won’t hurt. Take a mental health day, clean your dorm or spend the weekend at home.
