How to get over the Mid-Sem Slump

Losing interest? Finding uni draining rather than enjoyable?

Me too.

I’ve been at uni for five years now, and am finally in my last year of my Master’s, yet I still struggle with staying engaged with the actual content from my classes. Makayla wrote a fantastic article just before midsem on how to maximise your free time during the break, but now we’re back into classes and it can easily become overwhelming again.

Firstly, make sure you’re looking after you. There are so many things that you can do to support your mental health, especially if you’re feeling stressed about the semester. Whilst it is easier said than done, doing a quick 20 minute workout can break up the brain fog, and reinvigorate your motivation to get things done. This could be a quick online pilates class, a walk around the block – or even a walk to get a coffee and a sweet treat. But, if you’re in need of more support, reach out to the University’s Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS), who provide free and confidential services to students at the University.

Secondly, plan. Physically jot down what you want to achieve in the time you’re studying – make it realistic, don’t just write everything you need to down on the paper, break it down into chunks of an assignment.

I like the pomodoro technique to break up my study, and there is a great website that has the timer for you! You study in 25-minute blocks, with a five minute break, and then after an hour, you get 15 minutes off to have a brain break! It was honestly life changing when I found it, my friends and I would take each other’s phones until it hit the 5-minute mark, and then rinse and repeat (if you're studying with friends and easily distracted, I highly recommend doing this!).

Finally, eat well. It is so much easier said than done, especially with the cost of living crisis, but I have delved into the TikTok $10 meal videos, which have shown me how easy it is to make something under $15. I’ve got a recipe below for an $11 Chicken San Choy Bao – now, I’m hoping you have Soy Sauce, Honey, Peanut Butter and Sesame Oil at home, if you don’t it’s only $5-10ish extra, but they last you a long time!

Ingredients:

-          500g Chicken Mince - $5.50 at Woolworths

-          1 carrot, grated - $0.35 at Woolworths

-          1 Iceberg Lettuce - $3.50 at Woolworths

-          3 Garlic Cloves, minced or diced - $1.65 at Woolworths

-          ½ Cup Soy Sauce

-          ½ Tbsp Sesame Oil

-          1 Tbsp Honey

-          1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Method:

1.      Wash your lettuce and peel leaves to form cups, set aside.

2.      Peel and grate carrot, and combine with chicken mince in a bowl with the garlic, sesame oil, honey, soy sauce and peanut butter.

3.      Heat some oil in a pan and fry the chicken mince mixture until the chicken is cooked, breaking up the mix into small chunks.

4.      Once cooked, serve mince in the lettuce cups!

Whilst cooking a meal is more time consuming than just making 2 minute noodles, this one recipe will last you at least 4-6 serves, and is an easy meal to have left overs for!

So much of this is basic, but it can be really helpful when you break everything down into bite size chunks that make it more manageable.

Keep slaying, only 6 more weeks of semester to go! 

 Written by Micaela Rynne