As the winter midterm season is beginning to kick off here at UNB Saint John, mixed with the cold, gloomy weather, you might find that the motivation to keep up with your courses is almost nonexistent. Working on papers starts to look a whole lot more daunting, and studying takes a lot more brain power than usual. If you’re finding yourself in this boat, don’t worry! You’re not alone!

It is common for the winter months to bring feelings of fatigue, more difficulty concentrating, and a disruption in your sleep schedule. Lower levels of sunlight can be associated with interruptions to your circadian rhythm, or your biological clock, along with the regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin, both of which have an impact on your sleep and mood.

What might be scarier is a feeling of helplessness when it comes to maintaining your grades. When concentrating becomes a problem, and the ambition to crack down on the big assignments is hard to find, your grades can start to slip, which may just add to the negative feelings that come in a package deal with a dim, dank winter. When that happens, it’s important to know how you can get back on your feet.

The Baron has pulled together a comprehensive list of tips to help you fight off the effects of the winter blues, and more importantly, to help ensure you’re keeping those grades where you want them!

#1 – Soak up the Sun!

As mentioned before, sunlight plays a major role in your mood, sleep, and motivation, so one of the most important tips is to get yourself a little extra light. Keeping windows open, opting to take a walk outside on the more mild days, and making small changes to your environment can help maximize your exposure to natural light. Positioning your workspace near a window or taking breaks outside during daylight hours can significantly impact your mood and productivity!

Additionally, if you have a little extra cash and access to online shopping, you could also give artificial sunlight a try! Sun lamps and alarm clocks are great options for supplementing natural sunlight, especially during these darker winter months, or just for individuals who spend a lot of time indoors. Sun lamps, also known as light therapy lamps, give off bright, full-spectrum light that mimics natural sunlight, which can help regulate your body’s internal clock and improve your mood. Alarm clocks with built-in sunrise simulation gradually increase light intensity to mimic the rising sun, gently waking you up in the morning and helping to regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

#2 – Keep Active

Another way to help boost your spirits is to make sure you’re getting a healthy dose of exercise! Staying active during the winter months is important for maintaining both your physical and mental well-being, and although the urge to hibernate in your bedroom whenever you aren’t in classes might be strong, making an effort to incorporate regular physical activity into your routine can help fight off feelings of fatigue.

You could consider joining a fitness class, hitting the campus gym in the G. Forbes Elliot Athletic Centre, or even just going for a brisk walk around campus whenever the cold isn’t too unforgiving. Engaging in activities you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, dancing, or playing a sport, can also make exercising feel more enjoyable and manageable, especially with friends! Even small bursts of activity throughout the day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or doing quick stretching exercises between study sessions, can make a big difference in keeping your energy levels up and your mind sharp.

#3 – Stay Connected

During the winter months, it can become easy to isolate yourself, especially when you’re feeling low. However, maintaining connections with friends, family, and classmates is an important tool for combating feelings of loneliness and keeping your emotions in check.

Try to schedule regular social activities, whether it’s grabbing some coffee at the commons cafe with a friend, attending a study group, or joining a club or organization on campus. Virtual meetups can also be a great way to stay connected to distant friends and family.

#4 – Set Realistic Goals

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and fall back a little on your coursework, it’s easy to become paralyzed by the workload ahead of you. Setting realistic, achievable goals can help break tasks down into manageable chunks and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. The best method you can follow is to prioritize deadlines, focusing on the assignments and tests that are coming up the fastest, and then breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Set aside dedicated time every day to put in some work, making sure to take a few short breaks along the way, but most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself! It’s okay if you don’t accomplish everything all at once! All that matters is the progress that you make from day to day because in the end, it will add up and it’ll keep you moving towards your ultimate goals of stellar final grades!

#5 – Ask for Help

If all else fails and if everything still feels like too much to handle on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Whether it’s academic support from your professors or counseling services from the student health center, there are resources available to assist you.

Don’t wait until you’re feeling completely overwhelmed to seek assistance. Remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and seeking support can make a big difference in your ability to navigate the challenges of the winter season and maintain your academic performance.