END OF SEMESTER BLUES -

I will admit that it took some teeth pulling to start this article. I have been in somewhat of a rut, and it comforts me to know that I am likely not the only one. That end of semester lull is a tried and true rite observed every year. It has become more a lifestyle, really. Particularly, the end of spring semester is the worst.

You can almost taste your freedom. Summer is so close. At this point, you don’t really care anymore, you rarely touch your textbooks, and your money situation is bleak. If every other day you don’t say you’re dropping out or make self-threatening remarks, then you clearly have your life together. Good for you, you jerk.

For the rest of the sleep deprived students surviving on air, prayer, and coffee, things may be getting a little blurry as we inch toward the end of the semester. Here are five signs that you are over this semester:

Your motivation has flown out the window. It has quite literally grown wings and ascended into the heavens. Meanwhile, you’re still stuck in the seventh ring of hell, drowning in 5-10 page papers, Times New Roman, double spaced, 12 point font….

You are constantly overwhelmed. Even when you have no reason to be, you just have this nagging sense that you have forgotten something. When you try to relax and enjoy some semblance of a social life, in the back of your head you are wondering if you have a project that slipped your mind. You are basically being driven to insanity.

You’re grasping at straws. You will pick up any kind of extra credit you can get. Your professor wants you to attend a conference out of town and take notes? Great. Visit Mars and write a two page analysis relating to the course material? EVEN BETTER.

Your mood is in the dumps. When you walk down the hallway you shout insults at people in your head. The way people talk and breathe even annoys you sometimes. Everything gets on your nerves and exhaustion has become a defining feature of your character.

Keeping up appearances is no longer a thing. Your room is a mess. A healthy amount of the time, you just sort of roll out of bed and into the first “real-ish” clothes that you can find. Your favorite item of clothing has the word “sweat” in it.

Rejoice! If you find that you identify with one or more of these, there may be hope yet. There are countermeasures for those feelings of misery. Vent: Find someone to talk with. Verbalizing your frustrations can help relieve some of that pent up stress. But beware, don’t bend everyone’s ear about your problems too frequently, they’re dealing with their own issues as well.

Doing course work may have become an eye-bleeding-kicking-and-screaming struggle for you. Homework has always been a chore, but at this point, completing assignments feels like the mental equivalent of carrying weights on your brain.

Recognize and pin down the rituals or skills that may help you complete assignments. Is there a particular space that you feel comfortable in? What about a playlist that helps you focus? Does writing down all of your thoughts on paper or making tons of lists help you clear your mind? Do what you have to do to focus up. But switch up, those rituals may become monotonous.

Stop mulling over the future, focus on the things that require your immediate attention. If you let your mind wander, you may be overwhelmed by looming projects. Now suddenly you’re down the rabbit hole, drinking tea with headcases. Reel yourself in, focus on one thing at a time.

WHICH Character is your semester spirit guide?

1. In a group project which archetype are you?
a. The Disappearing Act
b. The Shy One
c. The Heavy Lifter
d. The Control Freak

2. Would you ever work in fast food?
a. A job is a job, man
b. I would try anything once
c. No way!
d. I don’t have the patience for it

3. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the cash?
a. Screw annuity, take the lump sum and drop cash on your dream car, a yacht and a mansion.
b. Pay off your loans and make sure your family is taken care of.
c. Use it to fund your venture into entrepreneurship, start a high end clothing line like Kanye
d. Invest it responsibly

4. What were the answers to the homework assignment?
a. I got you, I’ll send you a screenshot
b. *side-eyes you*
c. What homework!?
d. You can find the answers relating to question five on page 192…

5. Drink of choice?
a. Beer
b. Bottled water
c. Energy drinks
d. *swallows 10 caffeine pills*