by Camille Pruvost
I like to have a busy schedule, and I seem to be most productive when faced with a fast-approaching deadline, but I also find that I tend to stress with such a fast-paced schedule. So when assignments pile up, I make sure to intersperse my study sessions with downtime. In the past, downtime often turned into plain old procrastination, which only ended up fueling my stress, even though I usually accomplished everything on time. Like most functioning stressaholics, though, I was in denial about my procrastinating tendencies. I wasn’t procrastinating, I really needed that time to de-stress! Now I’ve learned to be honest with myself about when I am de-stressing and when I am actually procrastinating so that I can both sufficiently relax and complete any looming assignments on time.
The most effective change I made was to create two separate lists of activities, one for when I want to de-stress/relax and one for when I am procrastinating. Having separate activities helped me differentiate between relaxation and procrastination. Taking a walk, making cup of tea, cleaning my room, or doing yoga became my method of de-stressing. I could no longer deceive myself into thinking that procrastination was relaxation, and this way my relaxation time actually accomplished my original goal! By admitting that watching a TV show, surfing YouTube, or hanging out with friends was actually a procrastination tool and not something that would help me de-stress, I was able to better love myself and give myself effective breaks to rest and recharge.
As midterm season comes into full swing, be sure to have a plan for how to deal with the mental battle. Take some time to honestly reflect on habits and brainstorm how to replace those that do not serve you with habits that will. I’ve realized that as writers, as students, and as people, our best work is done not when we are simply coping, but when we are genuinely at peace.
Camille Pruvost is a Christian Science nurse in her senior year majoring in music and minoring in religion. Her music ministry serves to inspire faith and to facilitate ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. This past year she traveled on the Ireland and Music in Europe abroad programs.