Welcome to The Worst Weeks of Your Life! ... Until The Next Round of 4 o'clocks

I come to you from my cubicle in E.W. Fairchild- Martindale Library (better known as EW. FML) that I have been occupying for almost as long as I can remember.

This is how I spent my Valentine's Day last year... at FML

I do not remember the last time I experienced stress like this.  I'm not sure if it has something to do with me being an upperclassmen (still in denial about that), or because those around me have serious school-enduced anxiety, but I am up to my eyeballs in work.

There are a number of rituals I like to partake in when I'm feeling overwhelmed.  While I can advise to do all of these things, I'll be the first person to admit that they are much easier said than done.  Especially when you have two exams, two case studies, and a presentation to tackle all in one week.

My number one favorite thing to do when I feel like I'm going to explode from stress is workout.  Yes, this can be perceived as a strategy of procrastination, but I feel that I am much more motivated when I wake up an hour earlier to get a workout in before class.  When planning to exercise in the morning, I always have to make sure that I incorporate time to cool off, go home, and shower before I'm too late for class.  From my experience, I pay attention much better when I'm wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater than when I'm dressed to go for a run.

I really only spent time in "Lindy" because I was frosh

My second go-to move is to take a warm shower!  It sounds stupid, but feeling refreshed and clean really does get the ball rolling when it comes to focusing.

Also, switching up your location is key- check out my pictures from 4 o'clocks week last semester- I spent some time in Linderman Library as well as in STEPS.  Great places.

Panoramic view of the room I studied in in STEPS... unreal!

Lastly, I hate to say it, but stress eating is definitely something I, and many people I know, struggle with.  Eating is a social thing, and when I'm sitting alone for 12 hours straight and haven't spoken a word, all I want is some human interaction... Not to mention a plate of nachos hits the spot almost always.

At the end of the day (sometimes that's 4 AM, other times that's not until the next day after your 4 o'clock is over), it's not healthy to spend over a day in the same chair, in the same room, with the same stale air going in and out of your lungs.  Get yourself up, take a break, and talk to your friends!  Stressing out is a lot easier to deal with when you're not alone... and trust me- at Lehigh, you're far from alone.