As October turns into November, the semester is reaching its halfway mark. Midterm tests are underway, the weather is turning cold, the days growing shorter, and the burnout is somehow already creeping in. You may find yourself wanting to sleep into the morning a little longer, watch football instead of study, and put off tasks that you were once eager to complete even just a few weeks ago. Though these thoughts are completely normal, there are a few ways that you can combat the mid semester burn out. Taking care of your physical and mental health, tapping into new study techniques, and finding healthy coping mechanisms are just a few ways to continue on with a strong semester.  

One of the largest components in maintaining your wellbeing throughout the semester is preserving your physical and mental health. As the winter season approaches, campus faces peak cold and flu seasons, affecting hundreds of students annually. Getting enough rest, consuming nutritious foods, and staying up to date on your flu shot are a few ways you can prevent getting physically sick. While of course illness is sometimes inevitable, the severity of sickness may be decreased by taking proper care of yourself.  

As we just passed National Mental Health Day on October 10th, it is also important to reflect on the importance of taking care of your mental health. The University Counseling Center provides free and confidential services for all students and is an exceptional resource if you are seeking help. Additionally, taking time to find an outlet is extremely beneficial to one’s mental state. By having an escape from school such as art, sports, working out, or music, one may be able to express energy and creativity completely aside from academics and work. This is crucial to a healthy, organic human function. If you are in search of a healthy outlet, consider joining a club, picking up a winter hobby, or trying something new altogether.  

Additionally, if you find that something has not quite been working for you so far this semester, consider changing something about your routine. Allotting small increments of time each day and allocating it to specific tasks can divide up your day in a much easier-to-tackle way. If you are already feeling burned out, it could be a sign that something needs to give. It goes without saying that your college success is ultimately what you make of it. Feeling burned out is a normal emotion but can be combatted using proper techniques.  

Sadie Blace is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].