End of Semester Burnout and Holiday Stress: Tips for Parents & Students
It's not uncommon for you or your students to feel burned out or stressed at the end of the semester or as the holidays are approaching. Learning at home can sometimes feel like a 24/7/365 commitment, and the lines between home, work, and school get blurred, and it's especially overwhelming during the holidays.
So, How can you finish the semester strong?
Work backward. Create "To Do" lists and checklists for projects, assignments, and exams working backward from their due dates. Doing this will help you prioritize your time and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Use the Pomodoro Method to stay on track during the day. It's easier to tackle more significant projects when you break them down into smaller chunks of time.
Get some fresh air. Sometimes taking a 15-minute break and walking around the block energizes you and the kids.
Dance it out. Turn up the music and get moving. Dancing is a great way to get the creative juices flowing and a great way to work out nervous energy before final exams or presentations. Expert advice: Let the kids choose the tunes.
Create simple, special occasions. When school and life get hectic, make time for special activities. For example, let the kids plan and prepare lunch or dinner one day during the week, have an afternoon tea party, or family movie night with hot cocoa and popcorn. A little break from the stress can do wonders for the whole family.
Say "no." It's easy to get overextended this time of the year. If you feel stressed about another holiday party, your kids may be feeling that way, too. Think quality of interactions and activities over quantity and just say no if accepting an invitation will cost you more money, time, or the last bit of your sanity.
