Charley’s unsolicited weekly take on the uni topics no one else dares to mention…
I’m sure you’ve all realised: Sheffield is freezing at the moment- and that weather is definitely dictating our energy. The urge to stay in bed and wish the day away is persistent, even more so when you’ve got five deadlines this month and another dozen due in January: it’s not easy stuff.
Here are some ways you may be feeling due this months: although i am hilariously witty, it may help to talk about this with friends and flatmates, or reach out for help if you’re feeling very low.
- No motivation: deadlines are starting to feel optional and scrolling tiktok all day feels like the only feasible option
- Isolation: plans stop feeling fun- they’re just a temporary distraction from work. This usually leaves you feeling guilty for not studying mid-hangout, taking up all of your thoughts when you’re supposed to be relaxing
- Getting behind on self care: you stop planning what you’re going to have for meals, stop looking forward to your next day off or weekend and forget to put time aside to actually relax and recharge
- Silence: you don’t share your current feelings or emotional state with anyone, because it’s just “normal”, right? You decide you’ll talk about it when all your essays are in, but by that time you’re beyond burn out
- Looking ahead: this is a slightly more positive thing. You look ahead to christmas: snow, markets, mulled wine, christmas dinners: the whole lot. You project any last feeling onto that idea of the near future, dismissing what you could do now to make things more enjoyable for yourself.
If you don’t relate to any of these, I am envious of you and I’m sure everyone else is as well.
There’s no sudden solution but remember: December is almost here – the break we look forward to as soon as reading week is over (or maybe even before that). Remember to speak out about it, build and maintain your support systems and build a gradual, realistic plan of work. Or, the better option: write a column about it trying to advise other people without recognising your own struggles.
Come back next Monday for another column from your favourite oversharer!
