How To: Tackle the Mid-Semester Blues!

With Halloween having run its course, and the end of the semester still seeming miles away, it can be hard to still approach college full steam ahead. Here at Her Campus JMU, we know all too well the feelings of endless assignments, looming papers and crippling homesickness that stress us out and leave us in the dumps during the few bleak weeks before finals. So what’s a collegiette™ with the mid-semester blues to do before the glorious arrival of Thanksgiving break? HCJMU is here with a few tips and tricks for surviving the month of November!

Treat yourself to something new!
If you have a couple bucks to spare before the holiday shopping season hits, treat yourself to a new gadget or pair of shoes you’ve been dreaming of. You’ll be excited over your new purchase and instantly boost your mood and confidence for a few days. We’re not advocating that you blow all your cash and become a serial shopping addict, but a few good splurges now and again provide the perfect form of retail therapy to boost your mood. So go ahead and get that new jacket – you look great in it!
 
Rock out on campus!
A great way to take your mind off of stressful things is with time’s oldest cure for anything – some good music! The University Program Board of JMU is totally awesome about providing concerts, comedians, and events for students to attend, especially during times when students might feel the most homesick.  Was Full House one of your favorite shows of the ‘90s? Check out Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey) and his comedy act in Wilson Hall on November 11^th! Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Warren Box Office.  If discovering the newest bands and music is more your style, check out UPB’s annual spotlight sounds series where local and independent bands perform absolutely free every Wednesday at 7pm in Taylor Down Under.  Who knows, you just might meet the next U2. 
 

Create a new space for yourself – literally!
Who says that spring-cleaning is reserved for the spring? If you’re sick of your living space and feel stuck in the same old rut, try redecorating, organizing and cleaning your space. You’ll feel productive and your roommates will probably thank you. (Not that we’re calling you messy or anything…) Changing up even the decorations on your wall will make your place feel like it’s been given a fresh start and you’ll be more excited to be there. Besides, who doesn’t love moving around furniture and changing their sheets?

Give back to the community!
One thing that never fails to make a collegiette™ feel better is to help out others in the community! If you’re looking for a way to pass the time, November is filled with opportunities for community service and events with which you can donate your time, effort, or money to. November is Juvenile Diabetes Awareness Month and Alpha Sigma Tau sorority is taking the whole month to raise funding and awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation! Stop by a proceeds night at Dona Rosas or Ham’s for a yummy treat that benefits JDRF, or stop by an all-you-can-eat cook out in Forrest Hills on November 11^th and donate $5! Looking for a date? Sigma Nu fraternity is hosting a “male auction” on November 7^th in Memorial hall where you can catch your very own campus cutie and help out the Make A Wish Foundation. Grab some friends, and check out all there is to do this November! Who knew giving back could be this fun? (And tasty!)
 

Get in shape for Thanksgiving Dinner!
Let’s be honest girls, when Thanksgiving rolls around we’re going to have wished we went to the gym before the turkey came out so we wouldn’t feel so guilty after words – am I right? Get proactive about your decision to stuff yourself with stuffing and take some new fitness classes at UREC! You’ll pass the time, learn some new moves, and enjoy a guilt-free holiday! In addition, we all know that exercise releases endorphins into the body so you’ll feel happier and more energetic throughout your day – say goodbye to your mid-semester blues and hello to fall break!

We also suppose you could spend the next few weeks studying…but where’s the fun in that?