By Gracie Fairfax | Echo
J-term is over, and it's time to usher in a new semester. As the papers pile up and responsibilities resume, Grandma's home cooking feels very far away. I've just returned from a tropical vacation, perhaps like some of you. But it's time to wake up, look at the snow and do something. Here are some steps to help overcome the shock and get back in the swing of things.
Step 1: Confront the issue
Like every struggle in life, confronting the problem is the first step. I suggest you begin by admitting that syllabus shock is real. After that, you can file those painful papers into a nice folder that you will refer to only when you have that gut-wrenching feeling that you're forgetting something. I've realized that the older you get, the more you forget-and that's fine. That's what planners are for.
Step 2: Forget the issue
Once you've filed those papers in the abyss, play some party music-maybe something like "YMCA" or "Dancing Queen." Those are just some of the classics Frank Sinatra sang at my wedding.
Step 3: Procrastibake
If confronting the issue or forgetting the issue isn't working for you, refocus your attention. In one of my previous columns, I suggested procrastibaking. Food is good for the soul and baking feels productive. Whatever you have on your plate this semester, freshly baked cookies are always more appetizing.
Step 4: Rent a dog
Dogs are so useful. I use mine as a garbage disposal, house alarm, therapist and fertilizer. Whether your needs include one or all of those functions, a dog is never a bad idea-unless you have allergies. Even then, watery eyes and a runny nose might be worth some cuddles with a furry friend.
Step 5: Complain to a stranger
Strangers are always the best people to dump your sorrows on. They have an objective perspective, they don't gossip about you and they'll never tell you how much they hate listening to you vent. It's also effective to spread the wealth of complaints around so no one person gets all the fun. This strategy helped me make it through tornadoes and the loss of jobs and furry friends.
Step 6: Plan for spring break
Sometimes the best way to overcome a stressful semester is to plan something to look forward to. It's easier to work hard when you're looking forward to a 20 hour road trip, mom making your favorite pie or seeing Jimmy Fallon's show in person. I can't think of anything that would be better, so I'll stop there.
Step 7: Give your friend a corn dog because they're your friend
I stole this one from a good acquaintance of mine called "Kid President." Personally, he makes me feel better about life than the real president. Sometimes life is hard and your friend needs a corn dog. While I think corn dogs are kind of gross, it is a nice gesture, and everyone needs a sausage coated in bread every once in awhile.
Whether the semester ahead is bearable or downright overwhelming, take heart: puppies, rainbows, oceans and corn dogs are all still very real-whether or not they seem impossibly distant right now.
