At this point in the semester we feel so bogged down by everything that the light at the end of the tunnel is more like a glowing piece of ash. These tips are for students who are stressed, in pissy moods, too tired to sleep and at the end of their ropes.

Take time for yourself

When you have a million things to do, usually your personal needs come last. How many times have you skipped on going out because of prior, “more important,” engagements? Here’s to nurturing your desires and vices, whatever they may be.

Build better relationships

Surrounding yourself with people who are on “the right track” will make you want to be there as well. Getting sucked into your roommate’s “Grand Theft Auto” habit will be easier to avoid when you take time out to chill with friends who are more productive.

Get happy

Losing focus of what makes us laugh is inevitable during this time in the year. Keep your personality intact and do what makes you happy: sleep, shop, run, etc. Giving work/school your all is harder if you aren’t personally fulfilled.

Ask for help

In today’s do-it-yourself world, admitting that you can’t do everything isn’t easy. We pride ourselves on being multitaskers. But asking a roommate or friend for help can take a load off of you and most times, they will feel touched that you turned to them in a time of need.

Call mom

There are few people who truly have your best interests in mind, and the majority of the people who do are family. They want you to succeed, which in turn means moving out of their house and fending for yourself. They show us the big picture when it becomes cloudy and let us know that everything will be OK. Yeah, it sometimes seems like a lie, but they know what they’re talking about.

Stop drinking

Binging on the weekends might make your problems disappear for a few hours, but the next morning you’ll feel like crap and be too hung over to accomplish anything, thus beginning a vicious cycle. Break it and stick to social cocktails.

Keep health in mind

Catching a cold, let alone strep throat or mono, makes giving in to burnout more tempting than pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Taking extra precautions to stay healthy is a preventative measure that you can appreciate when everyone else is hacking in your bio lecture instead of you.

Maintain self discipline

If it feels wrong, it probably is. Partying the night before a test makes you happy, but you’ll be in a bigger rut when you realize what a mistake it was.

Get away

Pull yourself away from that laptop or math notebook. Even if it’s going to the gym or for a walk outside, taking a short, satisfying break will help you get back to your work with power.

Be productive

Venting to your peers about your burnout woes rarely helps. Instead make a list and start accomplishing what you need to. After crossing off a few tasks, your confidence will improve and so will your need to keep going.

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