Ask Amanda

Dear Amanda,

This time of the school year is very stressful. How do we help each other when we are all equally stressed out?

-Going Gray at the Age of 20

Dear Going Gray,

Indeed, 'tis the season of paper writing, all-nighters, and dread. The time after Thanksgiving break proves an awkward three weeks stretched between the anticipation of finishing the semester, the strain of academic due dates, and the lack of closure of the past semester's social life. As you are running around like your decapitated Turkey Day turkey moments before it keeled over on that plater on your dining room table, remember to watch where you're running. It turns out most of your peers are zipping around like decapitated turkeys, too.

This frenzy of frantic direction-impaired students deprived on sleep and besotted on caffeine is hardly an environment in which to find support and positive reinforcement for life's immediate stressors. Best case scenario: Mom gets wind of her baby's predicament and flies her supermom self to Harrisonburg in order to take charge of your hygienic and nutritional needs so that you can focus on the pressing school stuff. In addition to doing your laundry, she also gives good hugs and edits a paper or two.

The likelihood of parental help swooping in should be slim to none (if not, your mom and I need to talk). You're probably living close to a worst case scenario, so the remedy is more of a coping mechanism than total antidote. I suggest that you take twenty precious minutes to self-evaluate and prioritize. Determine which items are most pressing and most important and re-allot your energies accordingly.

Most importantly, schedule yourself time for self care. If you're lacking nutrition, take an hour to prepare a yummy, healthful meal. If you need space away, treat yourself to an hour walk. If you need quality social time along with nutrition and space, treat yourself and a friend for an hour of walking to a restaurant, dining, and socializing. In the midst of the insanity, prioritize valuable time for yourself. In so doing, you will be better able to complete school work and share loving kindness with others who are equally stressed.