Thankful thoughts

Thanksgiving and the holiday season cause high levels of tension and stress. It’s important to be aware of a few thankful thoughts during this time.

The election season brings tension and division both in the classroom and online. Young college students are constantly being bombarded with polarizing ideals through the news and social media.

Remember to take the holiday season as a hiatus from politics and reconnect with hometown friends and family. It’s nice to just catch your loved ones up on your academics and other social pursuits while they fill you in on the news from home.

Family members may have differing opinions on politics and other critical matters, but that should not influence how you think about them. They are family, and they are the ones who are going to welcome you home with open arms and a tasty Thanksgiving meal.

So, when coming home for the holidays, maybe leave the politics and awkward conversations behind, and bring an open mind, a positive attitude and a big appetite.

This first semester has proven to be a time filled with political anxiety on top of the pressure of homework and exams. College students must prioritize academics before new and holiday chaos.

Most college students know that final exam season is characterized by late-night study sessions, cramming and lack of sleep. However, in light of Thanksgiving around the corner, it is important to remember that having the stress of school and grades is a privilege.

Many young adults don’t have the luxury of attending school or achieving a higher education. However, Miami University students are lucky enough to receive an extensive education that will no doubt propel them into successful future careers.

So during this stressful finals season, remember to get plenty of sleep, eat well and check in on friends and yourself.

While you’re at it, say a little thank you to your faculty, friends and family for supporting you until this point. And most importantly, say thank you to yourself for persevering and staying diligent throughout the first semester.

Finals season is already characterized by high levels of distress and anxiety, but these feelings are amplified as students continue to get sick.

As finals commence, many students are under high pressure and don’t take care of themselves. With this, runny noses and coughs spread around the classroom, and by the time students take their finals, all you hear is coughing, sneezing and blowing noses.

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During this high-stakes time, it’s important to take care of your body and stay ahead of college illnesses.

For example, start studying ahead of time. That way, if you catch a cold during finals, you won’t be stressed about studying and cramming while also fighting a respiratory infection.

Overall, take care of your body and mind but also make sure to be on top of your studying to ensure the best results finals season.

Thanksgiving and the holiday season this year are arriving with political tension, the stress of final exams and sickness. However, it’s important to remain thankful, open-minded and diligent about your family, yourself and others around you.

Leave the awkward political tension to the trolls online. Remain thankful and aware of your privilege to study here at Miami. And most importantly, take care of your mind and body during these last few crazy weeks of the first semester.

kapinoav@miamioh.edu

Sasha Kapinos is a second-year psychology and neuroscience major with a minor in Spanish from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a contributor to the opinion section of The Student.