Coping with a mountain of schoolwork after the winter holidays

Coping mechanisms are crucial at the start of the year.

Whether you’re a returning student after a month-long winter break or just starting your post-secondary journey, the influx of schoolwork may seem like a lot, especially after nights of partying or relaxing with family over the holidays. Coming back to the classroom can be exciting, but for most, it brings post-vacation blues mixed with weather woes.

When you’re going from sleeping in and watching TV all day to having actual responsibilities, no one can blame you. It’s a big change that requires big brain solutions.

On top of that, you’re doing mental jiu-jitsu with your professor, social life and internal wellbeing to form the cacophony that is your anxiety. Sleep suffers, your happiness takes a back seat and managing your time can feel impossible. Don’t fret, it’s not only possible to deal with it, but you’ll be able to thrive with the best of ’em using these tips.

Baby steps

Johnny Rose calmly telling someone to take a task one step at a time. — *Via GIPHY*

Feeling sluggish is normal, especially in the dead of winter. Constantly stressing about the next day’s endless list of work won’t help. It’s important to take it slow. Studies across the board show that working more doesn’t mean being more productive. Take care of yourself and buckle down when it’s time to get the job done. You’ll be happier and the work won’t seem so daunting after a while.

After taking a much-needed break, the knowledge you’ve gained did too. Not everything will come back on day one, meaning you’ll likely work a lot slower than you remember at first. It’ll take time to get back into the flow of things, but your skills will come back naturally.

This is going to be a big change of pace for everyone. Take it one day at a time and focus on one thing before moving on to avoid becoming scatterbrained. Pace yourself. Easing yourself back into it is paramount to having the best semester possible.

Reignite that passion

Spongebob holding a pole with a net, swirling his tongue in the air as his eyes bulge out his face. — *Via GIPHY*

Sluggish might be an understatement. Your brain is still in cozy mode. It’s time to turn that switch back on and get ready to fulfill your career goals. This isn’t for the faint of heart. To help you achieve your dreams, you can turn this work into fun. You’ve chosen your program or courses for a reason after all.

Tap back into your main drivers for why you chose this future. Once you enter the workforce, it’s something you’ll be doing for most of your life. That may sound daunting, but it’s true. Learn to enjoy your job and you’ll never work a day in your life. Learn to have fun during this snowy semester.

A simple method is to gamify your assignments. It doesn’t have to be a class-wide endeavour. Competing against yourself or creatively finding ways to make it a game will do you wonders for your productivity, morale and quality of work. After a while, you’ll get back into the rhythm, but for the first month or so, be kind to yourself and allow room for error and days of physical and mental rest.

Mindset

Joey Tribianni pointing to his head saying his head is not just a hat rack — *Via GIPHY*

Arguably the most important perspective, but the hardest to manage. Just remember, you can’t control your thoughts, but you can choose which ones to believe in and base your actions on. Practice will make perfect.

When you go into school with a positive mindset, something special happens. School doesn’t seem as dreadful. Setting the correct expectations and choosing to see the bright side in your classes can make the experience easier on you.

It’s important to know that it’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s something you’ve handled before. Post-secondary life is there to help you improve in your field and progress in life. Keep up positive self-talk, you have experienced school for many years and can only continue to grow.

In these winter months, nothing can be a mood killer like the weather. Don’t let it get the best of you. Spring is something to look forward to, with it only being a few months away. It’s a reason to get up and continue trekking on.

Work hard, play even harder

A cat playing with a furry, fluffy string that's dangling from above — *Via GIPHY*

This one is an absolute must for any student. The work can begin to pile up over the coming weeks. Organize your time and leave plenty of room to enjoy your hobbies. Relax, unwind and use the time you have for the things that bring you joy when you’re not working on yourself. Nobody will take care of you the way you do.

Prepare all of your assignments in an organizer using the syllabus at the beginning of the year, so you can start to set time aside for completing your schoolwork and for yourself. Part of this is walking the line of procrastination and work-life balance. You don’t always have to be working or playing. Keep everything in perspective, balance your life.

Do everything with intention. It’s easy to get stuck on autopilot, working endlessly like a robot until the next break rolls around. That isn’t the most ideal option for anyone, let alone a student.

If you’re one of the many students who just don’t know how to relax, joining a club or finding potential mood boosters can spark lifelong hobbies and can snowball your destressing journey.

Sleep

Stitch wearing pajamas and a night hat cuddling in bed with a stuffed animal. — *Via GIPHY*

It’s not an afterthought. After staying up late ringing in the new year, sleep routines can get distorted. Sleep is an underrated component of your success. It will increase your capability for handling the stress that ends up in your inbox.

Be sure to fix your sleep schedule by giving yourself a bedtime routine for those coveted six to eight hours of shut-eye.

Ironically, it’s not something to be slept on. Without a good night’s rest, none of these other points will make the snow-travel any easier.

Arnold huddled with his friends and family saying "okay lets do it" then all of them clapping their hands simultaneously. — *Via GIPHY*

Dealing with the hustle of school is no small task. Set time aside to take care of yourself and leave room for friendships. Cultivate some new relationships at IGNITE’s Speed Friending events this January!

Rolling back into work culture is an uphill battle, one that you’ll have to go into with the right mindset and a range of patience, mainly for yourself. Start from the ground up, do what you love and have a memorable school year.

Feature Image courtesy of Marija Rusaka via Pexels.

Don’t scramble at the start of a new semester. Check out how to make yourself a priority this semester!