Well, this is it. I don't really know where the time went, or how the heck I ended up here, but I'd like to thank many caffeine-fuelled nights, Bon Patron, my counsellors, and Coburg bagels for getting me through the past 3 years of my degree. Looking back, while I've made some amazing memories and have had a great time at uni, trying to figure this whole *life* thing out, there are many ways I just didn't treat myself very well. As the first semester of my final year of undergrad approaches (and I pretend I don't have lists in every bag, drawer, and pocket I own about grad school, appointments, and to-do lists), I've really been thinking about how I can set myself up for the happiest and healthiest year yet.
Honestly, there is a lot about the past 3 years that I just can't remember. Some memories are foggy because I either didn't get enough sleep, was pushing myself too hard, or wasn't giving my body the rest and energy it deserved. I want to change this. I want to make this year the year where I stop caring so much about the number at the right-hand corner of my paper, or the word count on my application essays, instead measuring my success and my life in spontaneous noodle trips, yoga poses that I nail, shenanigans my roommate and I get up to, and Fickle nights with people who make my heart smile. If you're anything like me, and also want things to be different this year, here are some of my tips:
1) Get an agenda. Seriously. I live by my agenda and my wall calendar. At the start of the semester, I'll write everything on my syllabi down, and it's much less intimidating and overwhelming when I can see it all laid out. Plus, that way, I know I won't forget what's happening. Usually, I'll write down when I should start an assignment too. Research paper due on October 30th? Better start my research on the 15th, so I won't be rushing to get it all done the night before. It might sound strange, but being specific about my academic goals helps me tons.
2) Meet with your professors. One of the best things I have done in the past three years is develop a relationship with my professors. I know not everyone's program is 11 people (gotta love Theatre Studies), but everyone has the opportunity to make an impression on their professors. Even in classes of 200, there will always be office hours. Go to them, ask that question, make a connection. It's much easier to ask for help when things get more overwhelming later on in the semester if you're already a familiar face to your professor. I'm so fortunate to have profs who can tell when I'm having an "off" day, and are always great at understanding my needs. One even let me take a break mid-exam because she knew I needed some air and an anxiety break. She literally talked me through a panic attack part way through my final. I know not everyone will become close with their professors, but even being on a first-name basis can do wonders. Plus, reference letters anyone?
3) Call your family. See your family, if they're close by. I am so lucky that I will finally (!!!) have family in Halifax this year. My cousin is coming to Dal and I could not be more excited. There is so much comfort in knowing that someone who's known you all your life, and understands you, is there to listen if you've had a rough day, or can help you talk things through.
4) Try something new. Whether it's a ultimate frisbee, computer programming, the theatre society, or that meditation class down the street, there's always opportunities to learn and grow from new things. Being a student can be hard, because you're trying to grow into your profession and learn who you are all at the same time. Microbiology is great, don't get me wrong, but make sure you leave time to learn about yourself, too.
5) Schedule time off. I am the worst for this, but I am getting so much better about it. I love de-stressing from school and life and everything by taking a couple of hours to sit in my favourite café and write for me. Whatever your self-care looks like, we all need it. I tried to take the whole day on Sundays off last semester, and found that I just couldn't manage it. So this year, I'm trying to take Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings off to unwind and just be. I matter, and I can't be the best student, sister, friend, dramaturge, and writer I can be if I am not taking care of myself. You might not be able to take a whole day off, but everyone can spare a couple of hours. Make YOU a priority.
6) Do your laundry. I know, I know. It's boring, no one likes to do it, and it's always at the bottom of the priority list. But nothing feels better than clean sheets, or an empty laundry hamper. My apartment doesn't have a laundry machine, which means I am even less motivated to lug all of my dirty clothes to the laundromat up the street. But it's also been a great opportunity to catch up on school work, or call home while I'm waiting to switch my load over. Getting into a regular laundry routine makes me feel a lot better, and more in control.
7) Make leftovers, meal prep, and have easy go-to meals. I usually love to cook, but when I'm really tired I so often just want to skip it and eat some cereal, or have my 10th bagel of the week. But I feel so much better when I'm conscious about what I'm putting in my body. No, I don't mean "eating clean", but I do mean making sure I'm eating a diverse diet including things like kale, carrots, and matcha, but not leaving out ice cream, pub food, and elaborate coffees (is it bad that three different coffee shops know my order?!). Anyone who knows me knows I love my bae-gels, but I just can't get all the nutrients my body needs when all I eat is multigrain bagels. I need balance. Whenever I do cook, I always make extra and stick it in the fridge or freezer for when I just don't have time to cook, or am not feeling up to it. That way, my body still gets what it needs, and I don't have to worry about it later. Last year I used the "too busy to eat" excuse far too often, and I'm not about that life anymore. This year, part of what success looks like to me is nourishing my body, along with my mind and creativity.
8) Meet with your program advisor. Sure, you've run a degree audit 38 times, but do you really know if that class counts as your social science requirement? It's worth booking a half-hour meeting with your program advisor. They know the ropes, and no one wants to find out they're missing a degree requirement halfway through their 4th year.
9) Book an appointment with counselling services. If you are thinking about therapy, or you know later in the semester gets overwhelming for you, do yourself a favour and set up a consultation with your school's counselling services. The wait times get exponentially longer as the semester progresses, so you might as well touch base now. Usually wait times are very brief at the beginning of a new school year. Last year, my second day back at Dal I was in my psychologist's office, and I was able to see her every two weeks from mid-August until I left Halifax the next June, and I didn't have to wait to see her at all.
10) Stay on top of your prescriptions. Y'all. There is literally nothing worse than waking up one morning and realizing you only have one days' worth of meds left, calling the doctors' office and hearing that you have to wait until next week to be seen. (Wow, even trying to figure all that out, I could really use those anxiety meds... oh, wait... ). If you take prescription medication regularly, make sure that you come back to school with enough medication to last you a little while, and if it helps, book a standing appointment with your doctor, or write a reminder on your calendar to book an appointment to discuss medication every couple of months. It's so easy to push that to the back burner, but there's just no point in making yourself feel shitty because you forgot your meds. Doctor's orders!
No matter what your year looks like, no matter where you are, whether you're in school, starting a new job, or just hoping for a new chapter in your life, really think about what you can do to proactively look after yourself, and put yourself first. This is YOUR year :)
As always, I'm rooting for you.
Ally
