Life Advice

Hi, everyone! It’s Mak here with my first Life Advice article. If you have any specific questions you’d like me to give my advice on, you can always email, text or Facebook message me! Enjoy!

Is it better to have a job or travel in the summer?

To be quite honest, I’d say get a summer job. Not only does having a job during the summer help develop your time management skills, you also earn your own money. Instead of taking a bunch of small trips, you can put the money you earn from a summer job towards saving for one big event that you can look forward to, like a senior trip with your friends. However, make sure that you enjoy the summer job you choose! You don’t want to get back to Exeter in the fall feeling overworked already. Plus, if you want a more academic summer experience, you can always apply for an internship. That way, you can gain some experience in a field that you might work in someday.

What are some ways to make winter term more enjoyable?

For starters, I’d say have a group of friends you can always rely on for a good time. During winter term, it may be tempting to stay in your room for hours on end. However, studies have shown that most people are more productive when they’re happy and working with friends who encourage them to be efficient. Also, make sure to take the time to treat yourself during this term. Instead of doing homework all night long on Fridays and Saturdays, I like to watch movies, eat out or chat with my friends. As you’d expect, it’s usually pretty cold outside, so staying inside with your squad is always fun. In my opinion, winter term can be pretty enjoyable if you want it to be. You just have to find that special group of people who make it a little less dreary.

How do I stay healthy on campus during the winter?

First and foremost, dress well! Wearing shorts and t-shirts in the winter is only going to increase your susceptibility to illness. If it’s raining or snowing outside, it’s crucial that you wear a winter coat, long pants and at least one or two layers of clothing underneath that. Furthermore, get as much sleep as you can! Being groggy and exhausted during the winter is not beneficial to you, so make sure you rest up in order to fight any infections brewing in your body. Finally, make sure to wash your hands and take showers regularly! Not only does good hygiene make you smell good, it also rids you of the dirt and bacteria that accumulate on your body throughout the day. Be mindful of what you touch. Putting unclean hands near your face can have disastrous consequences.

How do I deal with my friends when they are being annoying?

Too much of anything (or anyone) isn’t good for you. I’ve found that sometimes you need a break from people, even your closest friends. You might want to try hanging out with other people for a few days and sitting at D-Hall with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Also, don’t be afraid to tell your friend about what is annoying you. I like to think that having conversations about problems in a friendship is like having a METIC. The conversation shouldn’t hurt anyone because its sole purpose is to make things better. If all else fails, I wouldn’t try to push for a friendship that isn’t working.