We’re not far enough into the semester to be too stressed out yet, but we’re far enough in to be over the initial excitement we might have had at the beginning of sem.

Deadlines are slowly approaching, procrastination is setting into full swing and sleep is a thing of the past. Here are our tips to get you out of the slump and feeling excited about uni life again.

#1 Stay Positive

Keep things in perspective. Sure, you might have three essays, two weekly quizzes, readings for days and a 30-minute presentation due, but just think how good you’ll feel once it’s all done.

#2 Take Advantage Of What’s On Offer

Universities have an abundance of fun activities you can break up your semester with, from Greek themed nights, never-ending pub crawls to yoga with dogs. So invest some time into your uni social life not just your uni work.

#3 Get Some Shut Eye

Get a good night’s sleep, it will help you concentrate and be more productive during the day — your assignments will seriously thank you. Its also been proven to help you resist those sugar cravings we get when we stress eat during a study session.

#4 Have Something To Look Forward To

It can be depressing to look at all the assignments and work ahead of you. But who says it only has to be that way during the sem?! Aim to have at least one thing to look forward to each week — a yoga class, drinks on Friday night with friends or the new tapas place around the corner. It’s important not to get too wrapped up in your studies. Take time for yourself too.

#5 Binge Brain Food

Studies have shown that a maintaining a healthy diet can boost your productivity by 20 per cent. So start munching on bananas for the potassium or channel your inner squirrel and start nibbling on nuts throughout the day. Fear not if you still have a sweet tooth — dark chocolate has been linked to improving memory and reaction time.

#6 Plan A Trip

Nothing can be more motivating than having an adventure-filled holiday awaiting you at the end of a stressful semester! Whether it’s a trip you plan to do alone or with a bunch of friends, it’s a good way to distract yourself throughout the semester. 

#7 Goals Digger

Its time to get serious about your goals both short and long term. Having well-defined goals have helps to increase your motivation, help you sort out your priorities and guide your decision making.

#8 Get Your Nature On

We’re constantly surrounded by technology, assignments, and work. It’s so easy to get swept away by our busy lives that we forget the simple pleasures. When was the last time you walked barefoot over the grass or spent the day at the beach? Its important to remain balanced throughout the sem, spending only 30 minutes a week in nature can significantly reduce depression.