The November slump

The most difficult time of the year!

Let’s face it, the weather is getting colder. We can all feel the chill in our bones. We try to dress warmly, start wearing a scarf around our necks, add an extra layer underneath our jackets and change from wearing sneakers to warm boots. Light snow begins to descend and the leaves of autumn start to fall.

These are just a few indicators that November is finally here!

With mid-terms firmly in the rearview mirror and finals on the horizon, Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students now face an onslaught of upcoming tests, assignments, presentations and more. Sometimes we find ourselves yearning for a simpler time (like the first week of classes!).

As the days grow shorter, our motivation tends to wane during this time of the year.

We call it the “November slump.” You could also define it as the month of procrastination. The warm weather is a thing of the past. The snow hasn’t officially taken hold of the city quite yet and winter break seems like it will never arrive. It hits everyone differently.

It’s a month that challenges us all and a campus epidemic that is diagnosed by symptoms such as chronic yawning and caffeine addiction.

How do we navigate through this tough time? We will list some survival strategies below, so you are prepared to take on the dreaded (and in my opinion, the worst) month of the year. We’ll get through it together!

Start taking power naps

A picture of an animated character slowly nodding off, falling asleep. He has a green beanie and a white beard. — *Via GIPHY*

The antidote to fatigue (that three-hour lecture at 7 p.m. can take it out of you) is a simple and time-tested cure. The super-secret to success — power naps!

Take an hour or two whenever you are really feeling overwhelmed to catch some Z’s! Sleep can be beneficial to your overall health, relieve tiredness and make you feel more alert.

One of the only ways to really combat feelings of tiredness without overdosing on caffeine is this natural remedy — and you don’t even need a prescription for it!

This isn’t a be all end-all cure, but it can certainly aid in many of the symptoms of this campus epidemic.

If you’re at the Lakeshore campus, check out the IGNITE Zen Zone if you’re looking for a place to relax and rest. It’s located in the basement of the K building. There are beds and dividers so you can rest easy knowing you have a place to recharge your internal battery.

If you’re at the North campus, make no mistake and take a quick nap at the IGNITE Sleep Lounge. Located above the IGNITE Student Centre, this place allows you to recharge before that long lecture.

Make a plan

An image of a man with green/white hair putting his two fingers to his head with a surprised look on his face. The text below reads "In this your planning process?" — *Via GIPHY*

Try and make a schedule for all the tasks you have to complete and leave yourself more time than you anticipate you’ll need.

Think that paper on the genealogy of the Atlantic salmon is going to take an hour to write? Why not account for the occasional social media check-in (and perhaps a little bit of procrastination) and schedule two hours?

Perhaps you have a test coming up on the implications of the invisible hand theory in free market economies for your economics class? Schedule double the time that you think you’ll need to cover everything you have to study.

Leaving yourself plenty of time to accomplish tasks is extremely beneficial.

It can reduce stress, which will in turn allow you to focus on your task and not on an impending deadline.

Allotting yourself extra time can help you stay on track. Giving yourself plenty of flexibility when approaching a deadline allows you to account for unexpected distractions or obligations that come up, and is ultimately a great tool to battle the November slump.

Find time to relax

An image of an arm and hand with a watch on it spelling "time to chill." — *Via GIPHY*

While we might have a million things that need to get done, finding time to relax can be the exact tool you need to recharge your internal battery.

What you deem as relaxing is completely up to you. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, playing your favourite video game or even catching that TV show you’ve been meaning to watch.

If you work without taking time for yourself, you can risk burnout.

Try and keep this to a minimum, though, and don’t allow yourself to overdo it. Limit yourself and sprinkle in time to relax between the other things you need to get done. Too much relaxation can turn into procrastination really quickly, so find a balance.

Go out and get some exercise

An image of a read elmo like character lifting heights with a white scarf around his neck. — *Via GIPHY*

Get moving! Whether you love going to the gym regularly or it’s your first time delving into these murky waters, know that you are not alone! The gym doesn’t have to be an intimidating place. As it gets colder outside, it becomes more and more difficult to go for a run or even take a walk outdoors.

The gym doesn’t have to be about making huge changes to your body; it can simply be a simple cardiovascular exercise to get yourself moving! Treadmills are a great tool for beginners. Simply start on a slow speed and set a reasonable goal without pushing yourself too far.

Plan out your daily meals

An image of a mixed salad with various veggies and a spoon of a white dressing being spread over the salad with a spoon. — *Via GIPHY*

Sometimes, as students, we feel like caffeine is the fuel that our body runs on. Although it definitely gives us the boost we need, it’s more important to eat regularly and eat healthily when it comes to keeping our minds sharp. Skipping meals for the sake of making up lost time can be detrimental to your long-term health.

Short term, it can leave you feeling tired and sluggish. Taking a long-term view on regular mealtimes will ultimately help to fight off the various symptoms of the dreaded November slump.

In a bind for time? If you don’t have time to cook or find yourself strapped for cash, you can always swing by the IGNITE Soupbar! Located at LinX (LX110) at the North Campus and L Commons second floor (next to the elevators) at Lakeshore campus, there is a medley of delicious soup options to pick up.

Final strategy

A man with a beard, in the forefront of a football game in the background with text below spelling "When that changed, the whole process changed." — *Via GIPHY*

Enjoy the little things! Sometimes we get so caught up in the negative aspects of life that we forget to be grateful for the time that is afforded to us.

The November slump is real, but if you follow our guidelines, you’ll get through it in no time (or just 30 days, whichever comes first).

Find something each day that makes you remember that December is around the corner and the change of season doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing as long as you know how to cope.

Use these tools to fight off fatigue and conquer November!

Feature image courtesy of Kristina Sammer via Unsplash.

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