Exams and the things they bring

Well it's almost exam times folks.
And surprise, surprise there are about a bajillion things to do and only *looks at calender* what two weeks to do them in.
Good ole' March Madness - that end of the semester/ end of the year blues that has everyone, including your professors in a funk. Increasing procrastination in practically single thing you do in life for the next month or so.

So those two 7-9/8-10 page papers, yah they're going to kill you. That one critique you need to get down and the oral presentation you need to ready for that one language course have to get done toute suite.
And you - your brain is probably two sheets to the wind and trying desperately to explode.

Naturally I'm there, right along with yah!
For me, exams bring so much more than the March blues and glaring headaches from staring at the laptop screen for too long.
It brings insomnia - sleepless nights where the brain refuses to be quite and stop thinking about your essay topics or the last thing you were studying for that exam the next day. As well as the an increase in allergies (even if it's still snowing in March, here in Canada - the dust has accumulating to a huge mass by this point). Not to mention, the usual of writing to slowly or the amazing ability to not find what you need for a paper (Research is a bitch people).

So how do I get out my exam funk?

 1. TAKE A BREAK

*shock* I know right? Such an original idea, but one that has stood the test of time and worked (I feel like cliches are a thing in this post today *shakes head*).
Just remove your self from your current situation. If you feel like your brain can't handle anymore information - chances are it can't at the moment... or maybe you've been staring at the same paragraph for fifteen minutes. Just take a breather and do something else!

2. DO SOMETHING STRENEOUS

If you run, dance, do any form of physical activity, I recommend doing so now. Doing so relaxes your mind and gives you a sort of sub-space that allows the ideas to pop out at you.

3. TAKE A BATH/ HAVE A HOT SHOWER

The first thing to do when you're freaking out and you can no longer manage something is to relax your mind. I get some of my best ideas when I'm relaxing in a steaming shower or I'm just meditating. When you're actively not-thinking about what got you into this predicament in the first place - that's when I fine comes the best ideas.

4. CLEAN YOUR ROOM/ DESK

Often times having clutter around you, distracts you - not only is this a form of physical activity, but it's a mundane one that will allow you to clear up space, not only in your room but also in your head. Doing this allows you to not think about your papers/ exams and sometimes you'd be surprised what ends up on the paper afterwards.

5. READ A BOOK

You all know by now that I love a good book.
And a good book lets your mind wander to another place all together.


The key here folks is that by allowing you brain and body to wander you free it think about your problems differently.
And I'm not going to lie sometimes, nothing seems to help, but more often than not a combination or even a single thing from this list - cures me of my March Madness Blues - at least for a while. :D

Good Luck, I think we'll all need it.
Till next time
-Ari 

Today is my birthday... for the first time in my life I have a ton of friends that I love and adore.
I'm sure some of you have already figured it out, but my friends are my family.
"They're the family I choose to keep."
I may not see them all the time or even keep in touch with them (because, hello, I is a hermit) but I know that if anything goes wrong... I can count on them to be there for me, every step of the way.

Which is also why I love birthdays so much.
Not only do I enjoy behaving like a five year old, having themed parties like we're in elementary. and generally acting to much to young for my age group. You get to eat cake, have a good time and best of all - reconnect with old friends, who travel all the way to see (or at the very least SKYPE with them).

Because while I may enjoy my serious hermit moments, I also have my strange extroverted moments, where I need to see every last one of my friends. And I'm glad that I get to see them all for my birthday.

Love, till next time
-Arielle