As you know, we are deep in the trenches of midterm season. Things have been rough, but they are about to get rougher as we move toward the dreaded finals season. When you spend so much time stressing about and drowning in schoolwork, it becomes far too easy to neglect the rest of your life, especially your physical and mental health. But fear not, friends: Student Life is here to remind you to slow down, breathe and take care of your lovely selves.

First and foremost, you need to know your resources. Mental health is as important as physical health, and you must remember to keep it up in times of darkness (i.e. exams). Of course, Student Health Services (SHS) offers one-on-one therapy sessions, but there are also several therapy groups in the surrounding community. Namely, The SPOT, a center that focuses on young people age 13-24, offers free mental health services in addition to multiple medical services and testing. Do not be afraid to take advantage of the SU mental health fund if you are eligible. SHS offers multiple different weekly group therapy opportunities which can be helpful for those that do not think that one-on-one therapy is what they need right now, for those that are simply drawn to the group setting or even for those who want to supplement their current one-on-one therapy. One group that may be especially helpful is Managing Anxiety with ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), which aims to help students quiet their anxiety by developing mindfulness skills. There is also a Mindfulness Skills workshop that helps you learn how to manage stress, stay focused and still take care of yourself. Both groups would be especially beneficial to curb the overwhelming anxiety that rises along with the workload at this point in the semester.

While Thanksgiving break offers the opportunity to catch up or get ahead on work, remember to use some of this free time to work on yourself. Use it as a time to reflect, sleep and recharge before coming back to campus. Others may not be able to go home for the break, so do not forget about your friends that have to stay on campus. Remember to shoot them the occasional text checking in, take time to make a call or two and make sure they are not feeling too strange on a fairly empty campus.

If you are staying on campus for break, make sure to look at the dining schedule before it starts in order to prepare for the time when much of the dining services are closed. We recommend stocking up with supplies at Paws and Go beforehand. Planning your meals ahead of time is the best way to go through break without going hungry or having to pay for takeout.

But self-care should extend after break ends. Schedule some structured “me time”: Try a face mask, maybe a nice bath or shower, hit the gym, knit. Just do whatever helps you relax. There is more to life than your GPA, but taking time for yourself and getting enough sleep can help you be more productive in the long run. In fact, sleeping is proven to consolidate learning and make all the books you’ve been poring over actually stick. So get your eight hours and go to the gym. Take care of yourself, not just your grades.