Guidelines for the Winter Blues: A Prep’s Take A Prep’s Take
Congrats! If you’re reading this article, you’ve survived your hell weeks (and possibly enjoyed a restful Christmas vacay). As someone who struggles with the below-freezing temperatures and the rollercoaster-like Exeter weather, I have a few tips for how to finish strong in the remaining weeks of winter term.
Exeter can get quite windy sometimes, and the cold, dry climate can render your skin parched like leather. As such, wearing your gloves and your Exeter beanie can help you stay warm and prevent sickness. You’ll also want to wear your extra-windproof jacket (preferably with a hood) on the snowy or rainy days to keep your torso and neck warm; that’s usually where the cold seeps in.
On top of that, definitely keep up your healthy routine. Eat a balanced diet with carbohydrates, proteins and vegetables, although it’s okay to indulge in your favorite dessert once in a while. Always drink water! Pre-hydrate so you don’t get dehydrated. Most importantly, get lots of sleep! Sleep deprivation happens the most over winter term, but it can lead to an awful cycle of headaches and grogginess. You might feel super hyped after pulling an all-nighter, but the lost sleep will affect you later in the week.
Getting through a tough Exeter winter week can be made easier if you have something, anything, to look forward to. Maybe it’s a movie you’ve always wanted to watch after check-in on a Friday or Saturday night or it’s a planned weekend outing with friends to grab a bite in town. Anticipation for any activity inspires a lot of hopeful thinking.
Another way of dealing with the winter blues is simply getting lots of light. We naturally associate the sun with positivity and hope, so look for the sun every day, especially on the sunnier, warmer weekends! When you have a free in the middle of the day, refrain from curling up inside your room and instead consider going on a short walk into town or around campus. Going to the gym or running outdoors (hooray for distance track!) will also boost your dopamine, just be careful with the slippery iced slush on the sides of the roads. There’s also a UV light therapy program in the library and in the health center. Just don’t spend too much time sitting close to the white light or you might get burned!
Remember: winter is not difficult only for you, so spend time with your friends! They are here to take care of you and you are here to take care of them. If you have a roommate, voice your appreciation for them! During lunch or dinner time, put away for phones and laptops, meet up with your friends and ask them how their day has been. Be genuinely interested in what they say and how they feel. Use your Harkness-trained listening skills and empathize with those who might be feeling down.
A good listener with a word of encouragement or a smile can be very powerful whether it’s you or your friend.
Finally, always think with a positive mindset! Take on winter term one week, maybe even one day, at a time. Don’t stress out about every single assignment that you have during the evening. Celebrate the little things: like when the sun started setting mid-G-block instead of during Uni Free. Spend maybe 10 to 20 minutes every day to reflect on your day: what are you grateful for? It can be as simple as a friend’s witty joke, someone holding the door for you or the clean water coming out of your shower. Do something for yourself — something you truly enjoy. Singing along with Exeteras (an only all-male a cappella group on campus) during serenades season took up two hours of my evening on the busiest days of hell-week, but the happy faces I saw and the applause we got pumped me through those late nights.
When you brighten someone else’s day, both of you will feel loved. An Exeter winter can be warm if we warm each other’s hearts.