Exam season is finally coming to an end, and before the start of the next semester on Monday, I wanted to write a reminder to everyone, about the importance of self-care and prioritizing ourselves.
First and foremost, whether exams went well for us or not, it is important to understand that they are now out of our control, and worrying or being discontent is not useful in any manner. What is useful, however, is to look back on your exams and examine what went well and what you could have done better, to find strategies to improve for the next semester. Always remember that a new semester is a new clean slate, and is an opportunity for you to do better.
Understanding this, it is important to start your new semester with a fresh relaxed mind, which is why it is so essential to take a break, and unwind this weekend. We all know exam break demands a lot of us; our sleep schedules, our eating habits, our extracurriculars are all altered in the process of studying. As much as we try, oftentimes in the process we forget to take care of ourselves, which should be the topmost priority at all times, so use the time before school starts to do so. As cliche as it sounds, even something as simple as watching a movie, spending time with your family, and playing games is ideal. For those who want to find some entertaining reads or watches, here are some recomended ideas:
Movies
- Dead Poet’s Society
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Clueless
- The Outsiders
- The Giver
Books
- When Breathe becomes Air
- All the Light that We Cannot See
- The Messenger
- The Hate U Give
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
There are just a few, but many of our other articles in the entertainment section also feature other fantastic books and movies, so you may check those out for more ideas.
Lastly, take this time to be able to reflect, not just on your studying habits, but yourself. How have you grew as a person? Set some goals for the next semester, not just in terms of academics, but also on your health, well-being, and your interests. For example, I set the goal that I want to try to read atleast 15 minutes every day, even though I may be busy with other activities or school. Set goals on your sleep schedule, hobbies, and how you are going to improve them as well. And work on having a plan, and organized schedule for what your want to achieve, and what you want to do for the coming months. Be confident and reassure yourself that you will try your best.
Always Remember to Prioritize Yourself. And take a deep breathe, you got this.
“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.”-Mandy Hale
