I'm sure, like me, you've been feeling down in the dumps, being stuck in the library/office/at home writing your dissertation/thesis/whatever it is you're currently writing up. If you're in third year too, you're probably getting the same feeling that you just can't wait to finish. Well, good news, there's only 4 months left! But in the meantime you need something to get you through this (pretty boring and exhausting) writing up process..
These last few weeks I've literally been going through every emotion humanely possible writing this dissertation, and when my laptop broke last week I was pushed over the edge. Luckily it came back to life so don't worry about me too much.. But just a reminder; back up your work EVERYWHERE POSSIBLE. Anyway.. I didn't want to emphasise the negativities of this crappy period too much, because you already know those and you're probably experiencing them right now.. But fortunately for you, I've been experimenting and trying new ways of shaking off my dissertation blues and some of them work pretty well, so I thought I'd share them.. I hope some of them work for you!
- Eat chocolate (A LOT OF IT) - When I got back to Uni after the Christmas holidays I was determined to start dieting and work off my Christmas chub.. but seriously, if eating a creme egg a day is the only thing getting you through this tough time, do it, and don't even feel guilty.
- Find some happy music and listen to it before/during/in-between/after writing - Obviously, different music works for different people, but personally I love listening to a bit of Shwayze whilst coding my data.. His music also makes me excited for summer. Click here and give him a go..
- Go outside - I know everyone says this, but it's so true. Going out in the fresh air gives your brain a rest from looking at a computer screen all day and when you return you'll feel so much better. This could mean sitting outside the library and enjoying the view for 10 minutes or going for a walk. People forget there's beautiful coastal paths and mountains in Aberystwyth; explore them on your break from writing. That's without mentioning the starlings..
- Watch the starlings - I actually can't believe how many people live in Aberystwyth and don't go to watch the starlings! Their murmurations are the most wonderful and calming things to watch and we are so lucky to have this happen on our doorstep as it's such a rare phenomenon! The time it takes for them to fly around before roosting beneath the pier is the perfect amount of time for a break from writing, so at 4:30pm tomorrow, stop what you're doing and head over to North beach, sit on the jetty or grab yourself a bench and enjoy.
- Keep your friends close - I know this doesn't work for everyone, but keeping your friends close will keep you sane. If you're coding data, this can drive you crazy/make you fall asleep so having friends around will give you short breaks to have a laugh. I know some people feel friends can be distracting, but this is where you need to choose your library friends wisely..
- Go home - I went home last weekend and when I got back to Uni with warm, clean clothes and a tummy full of food, my batteries felt recharged and I was more determined to get stuck back into writing. Sometimes, you just need a break and some guilt for not writing for a couple days to push you back into writing.
- Make a realistic 'to do' list - I'm the queen of 'to do' lists, but we all make lists which are unrealistic.. Just focus on doing what can be realistically done today i.e. a paragraph/250 words. Ticking these off at the end of the day will make you feel more productive than aiming to do the things on your unrealistic 'to do' list and leaving things un-ticked. And most importantly, reward yourself for completing them by watching a film, going out for dinner or getting smashed, which leads me onto my next point..
- Get drunk - Writing up can leave you feeling very frustrated and angry, and sometimes you just need to go out and have a dance and a drink to blow off some steam.
- Sleep - Going to bed early will make waking up early the next day easier and the earlier you wake up, the earlier you can start working. Make sure you get enough sleep!
- Go in the sea - Last but not least, go in the sea. This could mean swimming, surfing, SUPing, kayaking, anything.. (just not bodyboarding). The sea is right on your doorstep! I can see people reading this and thinking HELL NO.. It is pretty cold right now, but all you need is a decent, thick wetsuit, some boots and gloves and you're good to go. This probably sounds so stereotypical coming from a surfer, but the sea literally washes away your troubles. I went for a little paddle in the sea this evening during sunset (5pm), only for 10 minutes and it was exactly what I needed. Sometimes you can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders whilst working hard, and the sea is the perfect thing to make you feel a bit of weightlessness. The cold is also the exact right thing you need to wake you up ready for working again.
The starlings flying over Aberystwyth Pier March 2015.
