Tired of School

I used to enjoy saving up my really big projects to complete during spring break… Let me try that again: I used to procrastinate on my big school projects until I realized that I had so much to get done that I had no choice but to spend my whole spring break in the library. For one week every spring, the musty smell of book stacks would be my home. I would search endlessly for the rare scrap of knowledge that would help me complete my projects. These were the days before Google Scholar and online pdf files of articles. Now I know you are tired of school and you have your work cut out for you, so let’s talk dos and don’ts on keeping you on your game while you are on “break.”

1. Caffeine: Caffeine is a double-edged sword…  For some people it helps increase focus and concentration. For other people, caffeine makes it hard to concentrate and hard to sleep. I’m even hearing about chest pains and other physical problems associated with caffeine intake. Consider not taking in any more caffeine than you already do so your body won’t get overwhelmed by the drug. I’m no doctor, so if you have any concerns about your caffeine intake (I’m looking at you rabid energy drink user), seek actual medical advice.

2. Sleep. Lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain and even can be a precursor to diabetes (click here for information about those claims). Spring break should be a time for rest and renewal, so try to get a good night’s/morning’s sleep if you can, even if you are spending the rest of the day working.

3. Eat better. It’s funny that during the times we need our brain to work the hardest–crunch time–we tend to order pizza or eat burgers. Instead of our brain thinking about your paper on the Psychology of Mathematics in Tribal Utah, you are sitting on the porcelain throne. At least make sure to get some fruit and vegetables to get that old bean up and running. Also, grab something for breakfast even if you aren’t hungry.

4. Make a list. Recently I was asked to write answers to a set of around 10 questions. These questions were worded so I thought I would have to write several paragraphs for each one. Imagine my amazement when I discovered a 300 letter limit on the answers. I saved myself a lot of work by understanding the assignment up front!  Go over your syllabus again and again until you understand what you need to do before you go through a lot of work that amounts to nothing.

5. Take breaks often. Every hour or less, take a few minutes’ break time to give your brain a rest. Listen to a song on your mp3 player, work on a soduku puzzle, count ceiling tiles–just do something different. Don’t forget to get back to work, though.

–I hope these ideas help, if you can:

Remember that “Life… is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”-Shakespeare