by Mahima Kakani
Happy April, USWIB! I hope you’re surviving these busy times.
At this point, I’m halfway through my semester in London—time flies, I know. While exploring this city and traveling to others has been incredible, I’m starting to feel a little homesick and bogged down with responsibilities.
Regardless of where you’re studying, whether it’s London, New York or Buenos Aires, you’re bound to reach the point when you’re burned out and anxiously awaiting the end of the schoolyear. Here are some tips to keep you sane, especially for when you’re abroad.
Happy April, USWIB! I hope you’re surviving these busy times.
At this point, I’m halfway through my semester in London—time flies, I know. While exploring this city and traveling to others has been incredible, I’m starting to feel a little homesick and bogged down with responsibilities.
Regardless of where you’re studying, whether it’s London, New York or Buenos Aires, you’re bound to reach the point when you’re burned out and anxiously awaiting the end of the schoolyear. Here are some tips to keep you sane, especially for when you’re abroad.
1. Reflect on all the good you’ve done this semester. Sometimes you need a mental check-in to remind yourself to appreciate the opportunity you’ve been given. It’s not easy and not everyone gets the chance to study abroad! When I look back on pictures I’ve taken during my travels, I’m automatically more grateful.
2. Splurge on something that will make you feel like you’re in control of your life. It could be skincare, workout classes, stationary or a nice water bottle, so long as it motivates you. If it’s something that you can’t find in New York, it’ll also serve as a souvenir! I’ve been trying new teas and spices each week.
3. Sit in the sun for an hour. You can listen to music, read a book, or just chill, but it’s scientifically proven that exposure to sunlight boosts mood and energy levels. I like to sit in the park in front of my dorm and scroll through the CNN Style page when it’s not raining in London (lol).
4. Sleep a healthy amount. When I don’t sleep enough, I channel negative energy that influences my productivity and mood throughout the day. It’s likely that you’re sleeping less than is ideal as you travel and catch up on work, but make sure that when you’re in your dorm, you try to establish a sleep schedule and stick to it.
5. Connect with family and friends back home/in NYC. Try to limit how often you talk to them about returning home so you can focus on the present at your abroad site. I try to Facetime my group of friends every 2-3 weeks and it usually makes me feel more grounded.
6. See an NYU Wellness counselor. It’s likely that you’ll get more frequent appointments while abroad since there are fewer people for the counselors to see each week. Take advantage of it! I made my first-ever counseling appointment in London and I have no regrets.
2. Splurge on something that will make you feel like you’re in control of your life. It could be skincare, workout classes, stationary or a nice water bottle, so long as it motivates you. If it’s something that you can’t find in New York, it’ll also serve as a souvenir! I’ve been trying new teas and spices each week.
3. Sit in the sun for an hour. You can listen to music, read a book, or just chill, but it’s scientifically proven that exposure to sunlight boosts mood and energy levels. I like to sit in the park in front of my dorm and scroll through the CNN Style page when it’s not raining in London (lol).
4. Sleep a healthy amount. When I don’t sleep enough, I channel negative energy that influences my productivity and mood throughout the day. It’s likely that you’re sleeping less than is ideal as you travel and catch up on work, but make sure that when you’re in your dorm, you try to establish a sleep schedule and stick to it.
5. Connect with family and friends back home/in NYC. Try to limit how often you talk to them about returning home so you can focus on the present at your abroad site. I try to Facetime my group of friends every 2-3 weeks and it usually makes me feel more grounded.
6. See an NYU Wellness counselor. It’s likely that you’ll get more frequent appointments while abroad since there are fewer people for the counselors to see each week. Take advantage of it! I made my first-ever counseling appointment in London and I have no regrets.
If you’re ever feeling the mid-semester blues and need someone to vent to, feel free to shoot me an email (msk695@stern.nyu.edu) or message me on Instagram (@mkakani34) or Facebook.
Godspeed,
Mahima
Godspeed,
Mahima
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