Over the weekend, I discovered a big fat problem. I. Am. Tired. Not only am I tired of school (I know, it’s only Week 4, but is anybody else feeling my pain?), but also physically and emotionally.
Ever since I plunged head first into this crazy world that they call college I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off and never taking a second to take a breather. I had this epiphany that I need a major college lifestyle change and to that I present the seven things you can do to rejuvenate over the weekend.

1. Have a regular sleeping schedule: It’s not as hard as it looks. If you’re going to go to bed into the wee hours of the night, set an alarm! Have it set for something like 10 a.m so you don’t sleep the entire day away. By setting this alarm at a reasonable (for the weekend) hour, you’ll be able to get up and get moving.
2. Limit the alcohol intake: Anddd cue college students shaking their heads. I know, I know — it’s a hard thing to do. Then here’s a solution: drink in moderation and drink a huge glass of water before you go to bed. That way you can limit the hot mess you become and attempt to derail a massive hangover before the sun comes up.
3. Exercise: I’m not Jillian Michaels or Richard Simmons, but I am a fitness admirer. I don’t workout everyday and I have a hard time running. As a matter of fact, I have asthma up the spaz so my fitness activities are limited. So here are some suggestions to the I-don’t-want-to-workout people like me. Take a bike ride with a friend. No bikes? Take a really light jog with a friend! You both have asthma? Take a walk with a friend! It’s raining? Go to the Rec with a friend! You don’t have any friends? Go to the Rec, look super hot, and meet some people. Problem solved. Even the most unmotivated people can find an activity. If you are one of the really motivated folks check out the Rec Center for intramural sports or Club Sports for some awesome teams to join.
4. Eat breakfast: Oatmeal. Toast. Cheerios. Hash browns. Eggs. Juice. Milk. Eggos. The possibilities are endless! Too tired to cook? Try a few of the delicious breakfast restaurants around town. Over the weekend I went to Brail’s restaurant and OMG. I’m in love. I got two pieces of French toast, eggs and hash browns for $7.25. Or check out Glenwood near campus. Basically, I’ve provided you with enough options now so you don’t have an excuse to miss this meal.
5. Watch a movie: A movie. Singular. Don’t watch four or five movies. Last weekend, my roommates and I made the mistake of taking our free HBO subscription and watching Avatar, It’s Complicated, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, How to Train Your Dragon and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Needless to say my Saturday and Sunday were shot. So my advice to you is watch one movie at a time. This past weekend, we took a nice bike ride across the river to split up our day.
6. Make a new meal: Try cooking a fun Friday night dinner with some friends before you go out; if that’s your plan. Check out foodnetwork.com for some easy recipes that are cheap and yummy. My roommate (not me, remember, I have zero cooking bones in my body, I’m still learning!) cooked baked macaroni and cheese, garlic bread and caramel apples for dessert. I know, you’re all like, “who is this girl and can I come live with you?” Let me tell you, it’s the best precursor to a Friday night you can scarf down.
7. Treat yourself: If you’ve been working hard all week, which I’m sure you all have, then you deserve a reward. Go check out the dollar theater, buy a coffee, have some candy or buy some new Duck gear. Either way, this experience is supposed to be fun too, right? In order to keep our sanity these next few weeks due to midterms, we have to remember to kick back and enjoy the little things.

There you have it, folks! The seven easy things you can do to de-stress and spice up your life, Spice Girls anyone? No? Ok, I’m alone then. Ramah Leith, M.P.H.@@(Master of Public Health) http://pages.uoregon.edu/uoshc/aboutus/staff/leith.html@@ from the Health Center gave me a fantastic quick tid-bit of advice for students, “Eating breakfast, having nutritious meals, and sleeping regularly are most important.” So if you all forget all the things I slaved over to come up with, at least remember what the person with a master’s degree has to say.
By the way, do me a favor and spend a little time outdoors this week, will ya? Come January, we’re all going to be wishing we had this weather back!
Good luck with midterms and enjoy this beautiful fall weather, y’alls. I’ll be back next week when we find out what happens over the weekend.