Tips on Staying Positive during the Winter Semester
Ah, the winter semester – a time for hot chocolate, cozy sweaters, and beginning to wonder if you’ll be able to survive the 4 long months until spring. Here are some tips to help you fight the winter blues and make the most of this semester, indoors or out.
1. Head out on a walk through campus, and don’t stop until you find some green space
Or, you know, snow-covered green space. For anyone at the University of Guelph, I can’t recommend the arboretum enough. Not only does being in nature help reduce stress, but getting your body moving also boosts your brain activity, helping you get through those mid-day classes you’ve been dreading.
My dog, Dasher, confirming the UofG arboretum is the place to be during the winter semester.
Did I mention green space is your best bet to find puppies to pet?
2. Alter your to-do list with one simple trick
If you’re a to-do list maker, you’ve probably had your fair share of morning ambitiousness turn into nighttime disappointment.
A life-changing tip for me involved adding a condition to my to-do lists. For example, instead of writing ‘go to yoga class at 7pm’, write ‘go to yoga class at 7pm if feeling up to it’.
The amount of guilt this relieves can be astonishing, and chances are the kindness you’ve shown yourself by adding these 5 simple words will have you feeling even more motivated to hit that yoga class.
3. Dedicate some time to do absolutely nothing
Need I say more?
Dedicated ‘doing nothing’ time in the winter can help you recharge without feeling like you’re falling into a slump. I guarantee combining tips 2 and 3 will have you feeling more productive and ready to take on the not-so-nice tasks you’re faced with. Be kind to yourself!
4. Join an indoor student group (or, create one, even if it’s just for you)
I recently joined a lunchtime knitting club and can’t say enough good things – I’m now re-energized and re-focused for the afternoon, when I’d normally be melting into my chair by 2pm.
Not as into knitting as I am? Your school’s student association very likely has a list of clubs available for you to check out.
If you’re more of a solo being, stashing a non-academic project into your backpack to pick up at lunchtime works the same way – whether that be a crossword puzzle, a drawing you’re working on, or learning about a new topic you’ve always been interested in.
5. Remember to keep things in perspective
I can’t stress the importance of practicing mindfulness during the winter semester enough.
Whether it be through a mindfulness app on your phone or remembering to take a deep breath while thinking of one thing that brings you joy, try making this a daily habit.
Soon enough, you’ll never face a winter school semester again, and you may even find yourself missing these days.
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