Life Advice
Q1: Well, the first week of winter term after Christmas Break is finally done. It’s safe to say that I’ve far surpassed my typical struggle/week quota recently. Not only is my workload piling up, but with a sport this term, it seems that there are not enough hours in the day to do what needs to get done. I’m an upper, and I’m barely getting by. I’m trying to function off of minimal sleep and can barely fit in three meals per day. I’m desperate for any advice that I can get.
A1: Health always comes first. Make sure that if you’re pressed for time, you still do your best to get enough calories per day. If you can’t make time for a full meal, ask your parents to send you some snacks or stop by the dining hall to pick up something small. Trail mix, Nutrigrain bars, bananas or a bagel with peanut butter and jelly are good foods to give you some energy in a pinch. Also, a tip on time management: If you’re wasting a lot of time on your computer, watching TV or playing video games, there are ways to combine your fun and work time. Everybody is different, but in our dorm, working with a few friends while discussing an interesting topic can be more productive and fulfilling than staring at a computer screen, playing Angry Birds, etc.
A1B: Also, if you’re looking for some ingredients to make your struggle soup a little more tasty, be creative. When I’m going through a tough week and my diet consists solely of struggle soup, I like to add something new. For instance, adding a little protein can make a difference. Try taking bits of turkey or another lunch meat and supplementing your struggle with some energy for your next two classes. Smile through the pain, guys.
Q2: So I live in Guam, where it’s nice and sunny all the time. Coming back to Exeter has been a huge struggle for me, mostly because of the weather. It’s so cold out that I find myself not wanting to go to my classes, and I’ve been ordering out way too much. Any tips on fighting the cold?
A2: Invest in a nice winter coat. Even if a huge, puffy coat might not be the most fashionable article of clothing, your health should come first. You might not get featured on the Dress Code, but at least you’re going to be healthy and prepared for your classes and extracurriculars. Also the hot chocolate at D-hall is a game-changer. Grab a cup of hot chocolate on the way out to make your journey back to your dorm bearable.
Q3: Now that I’ve submitted all my college apps, I have absolutely no motivation to do anything. I’m being a bum in class, dicking assemblies and procrastinating in the dorm during study hours. Can you guys pump me up for the eight miserable weeks ahead?
A3: You’ve got it! If you’re looking to have a good night with some buddies, we’ll let you in on a little secret. My friends and I find ourselves really frustrated and tense from the pressure of Exeter, so we created some traditions to keep our spirits up and let out all of the negativity.
Daily water breaks: absolutely essential. Everybody gets thirsty. It’s natural. Grab a buddy and a water bottle and get yourself hydrated.
Freestyle Friday: Not everybody is gifted with rhythm and quick thinking, but hey, give it a shot. Once every week, we pile about 20 dorm mates into one room, turn the bass up, and have freestyle battles. All in good fun of course.
#NoFilterSunday: A personal favorite of mine. Every Saturday night, I find myself staring at the clock, waiting for the hand to strike twelve. Once it becomes Sunday morning, feel free to let loose and turn up. We recommend only partaking in such an activity with your closest of friends. Get together, start a nice friendly conversation, and if something controversial comes up, don’t hold back. We have yet to have any injuries during #NoFilterSunday, and we hope to keep it that way. Try to refrain from anything blatantly disrespectful or profane, but hey, this is Exeter. We’re taught to think, and express our ideas respectfully and thoroughly. Let the world know how you feel.