Sleeping week (I mean reading week)

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This could be me but we were studying. Shane via Unsplash

Don’t tell my professors I slept all week instead of studying

Reading week? More like sleeping week! When I was in my first year of university, I genuinely used reading week as an opportunity to read and prepare ahead of the semester. Now, in my final year, I can’t be bothered with this nonsense. My philosophy is that the semester will be busy whether I read ahead or not. I like to use reading week as an opportunity to rest because I know that once classes start again, I will be swamped. It is important for me that I take this time off as a chance to paint, do some yoga, knit, and catch up on all of my favorite shows or re-watch my comfort shows for the 80th time.

I can’t begin to emphasize how important it is to rest. This will aid you in letting your mind, body, soul, and brain rest instead of working overtime on survival mode. Without rest, it is difficult to do anything. Athletes take rest days. Body builders take time to rest after training. Rest is necessary for our survival. I have made sure to get as much sleep as I possibly can and to focus on my health and nourishing my body because I know that when school starts, I will be unable to sleep as much I would normally want to.

Reading week has also been a time for me to make hearty, healthy meals and indulge when I want to. Since in-person classes are starting very soon, I have used this time to work on setting healthy habits that will make the transition to in-person classes easier; one of these habits has been meal prepping. I am the type of person who can eat the same meal for an entire week and still be happy. I don’t like to think about what I will eat or what I need to cook day-to-day. Thus, I like to prepare my meals ahead of time so that I can focus on the important things I need to do.

As students, it is very easy for us to forget to nourish our bodies. It is easy to forget to eat or to forget to take our medications and vitamins. However, it is important to figure out a way where you can remember to do the things that are good for your well-being. Reading week for me has been a time for re-establishing those habits in my life so that the semester goes by seamlessly. I want to build a strong foundation so that I will be able to deal with the difficult things that are coming my way, such as papers, midterms, tests, presentations, and exams. As a result, I have made it an effort to set some rules for myself that will aid me in returning back to in person classes.

One thing I have been doing to prepare for the transition to in person classes during reading week has been going on walks. I know, I know. Who one earth would want to go outside in the dead of winter, let alone for a walk?! It is absurd to think about. However, I find that walking is one of the healthiest ways for me to get some exercise in. It is how I get my steps in. Walking allows me to bask in the beautiful scenery, to feel the clean, crisp air as I walk. It allows me to explore my city and my neighbourhood. Walking reminds me to be mindful of the things that are important to me. It reminds me to take some time every day to take care of myself.

All in all, reading week has been a much-needed blessing. I have slept well, eaten well, exercised, and taken care of my mind, soul, and body. For that, I am grateful. It is a privilege for me to be healthy during the pandemic, and that is something that I make sure to never forget. To be alive, healthy, and breathing is a privilege that we must always be grateful for – there are many who wish to be in our shoes.

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