Ask Elle: Reading Period Panic

HC Harvard’s very own wise and worldly collegiette advice columnist is here to answer any and all of your pressing questions about life in and out of the Harvard bubble! If you’ve got a question you would like to see answered, Ask Elle here! 

Dear Elle,

Reading period is coming. I’m terrified. Every semester I say things will be different, and every semester I end up drowning in work. How do I stay on top of my life and keep from going insane?!

HCXO,

Frantic

Hey Frantic,

BREATHE! That’s the first thing. (I hear it’s good for you?) It’s a crazy few weeks of papers, projects, and studying for exams, but just remember: it is only a week. Five years from now you might not even remember that reading period is a thing. Here are some steps that help me when I’m feeling really overwhelmed:

1. Figure out what needs to be done.

Write out everything that’s due, no matter how big, small, or unimportant. After that, group them into things that are super urgent, things that need to get done, and things that should probably get done at some point. Got it? Now group those in order of priority. Now you know exactly what’s important and can catch yourself when you’re stressing about something that’s lower down on your priority list. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

2. Understand that you can’t be perfect.

A lot of times we get disappointed that we’re not homework machines, churning out papers without taking a break. Let’s cut that out. If you’ve planned a day where you’re supposed to be hitting the books for ten hours straight (“But look, I take a 30 minute lunch break!”) then you’re setting yourself up for frustration over not being able to do it and guilt for all that facebook stalking. Since you’re thinking about due dates so far ahead—good for you, by the way!—you have time to make a realistic schedule. Account for distractions, lunch with friends, and maybe even sleep if you’re feeling adventurous. If you build things into your day that you know will relax and recharge you then you’ll be much more productive when it’s time to get down to business and defeat those huns. You’ll also be happier, which leads me to…

3. Care for yourself.

Remember that list of priorities? There’s only one thing that I left unaccounted for, and I only did that because it should be a given . . . YOU. Unfortunately, we collegiettes aren’t always the best at remembering to take care of #1. It’s important that we get all our work done, but we can get into trouble once we start thinking that we play second fiddle to due dates. Say this to yourself in a mirror (okay, I know you won’t actually do that so I’m going to tell you): you are more important than any deadline, grade, or write up. It’s not even a contest. Whether it means working in a café with friends or doing your readings outside, put energy into keeping yourself happy.

4. Know that you’ve got this.

Have you checked out your resume lately? Have you actually listened when your friends tell you how great you are? Do both of those things, and trust yourself to pull through this week just fine. You’ve done it before, you’ll do it again, and if you keep your cool then you’ll be your same old fabulous self.