With the semester ending and students getting ready to head home after finals it is important for everyone to make sure they are still caring for themselves. Many individuals are still able to cope well enough to stay hydrated and eat healthy despite stress, though some find it harder to maintain an organized environment during intense academic periods.
Once a cluttered environment grows, it can be hard to accurately prep to return home after finals. Holidays are a stressful time and many individuals travel away from home to visit relatives and friends over breaks. It may be fruitful to take a few minutes every now and then decluttering as a daily practice before finding oneself in a mess the evening before leaving.
Marie Kondo, a cleaning professional, recommends a Konmari method of decluttering: focusing on what items bring joy and consciously letting go of anything that does not make the individual feel a positive way. A more common approach to tidying is to recognize when something needs to be replaced and getting rid of items over time as it becomes clear something no longer has use or effectiveness.
If there are clothes or items you brought to campus but did not find yourself using, consider taking them back home and leaving them when returning next semester to get some space from the items that are special but do not get used as often. Making easy choices and taking small, easy steps to declutter dorms, desks, and backpacks will help elevate the environment and may reduce visual stress during the final weeks of the semester.
It is important to note that disorganization is not shameful and some individuals are able to cope and prosper regardless of the state of their physical affairs. If someone notices they are living in a disorganized manner that is adding to the stress of these final weeks, now is not the time to implement a whole new organization system. Being kind to ourselves and tidying up for a few minutes every day over the next couple weeks can make a huge difference in the environments we are finding ourselves in during the transitional exam periods between the semester and holiday breaks. It is important to keep the small wins in mind as motivation to finish out the semester to the best of our abilities.
