Here’s 10 ways you can have a spring reset as a student at King’s

Spring semester brings about many trials and many tribulations. While we’re finally getting to the point where we can stand outside DC without becoming victims of frostbite, there’s enough to be stressed about in these coming weeks, for sure.

While there’s no shame in indulging in a face mask or two maybe consider pre-empting this with an “admin week”, i.e. do literally everything you’ve been meaning to but haven’t found the time for.

If you’re anything like me, that’s a pretty extensive list. You don’t have to get through all of it, but the feeling of getting through even a couple of those things is something not even a LUSH bath-bomb can replicate.

You’re a bit stuck on what this actually looks like? Here are 10 ideas:

1. Declutter your emails

We can all see those newsletters and research participation ads crowding your inbox from a mile away, by the way. Read them, do something with them. A clear inbox, where everything you see is actually something useful, sometimes feels better than buying two for one Jägerbombs.

2. Sort out old notes

Whether you take notes digitally or on paper, don’t we all have that pile of sheets and handouts we promised we’d type up or file away and never did? Sort those out! This won’t take you long – and bonus – you’ll have more room on your desk to replenish the pile this side of reading week.

3. Fix your sleep schedule – or, well, try

I was borderline nocturnal for a little bit back there but, in a magical twist of fate, I now keep falling asleep before 10. Heavenly. Nothing compares.

4. Update your CV

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This is a bit of a boring one.

5. Schedule those appointments

This one comes from a very personal place. Specsavers has been bugging me for almost a year to go for an eye-test. Do I know it won’t take long? Yes. Is it stressing me out more not going and continually getting letters from them? Yes… Schedule. Those. Appointments.

6. Make a reading list

This is the best decision I’ve made thus far, not that the bar is particularly high. If your course is dominated by reading, I can’t overstate how helpful it is to have all of it in one place instead of having to go to four different Keats pages 50 times a week. Also – you get to act the victim and show your family how tortured you are having to read 48 poems for one seminar. Maybe they’ll take pity and do your laundry (again).

7. Download One Sec

Or even something similar – it’s great. It’s a shortcut that will make you wait 10 seconds or so before you can get into a chosen app. It’s so much more effective than you’d think at getting you out of that scrolling loop.

8. Tidy your space

I mean your room, kitchen, whatever. I don’t want to dwell on the details because it’s dull. But you’ll feel better. Pop some good music on or a true crime podcast and get to sweeping!

9. Do something nice for yourself

Whether it’s getting your nails done, ordering out, or taking yourself to dinner. Take a guilt-free day away from uni work.

10. Do all the ‘odd’ jobs

These will look different for everyone, but they do weigh down on you. Make a list – it’s important that you actually tick items off once they’re done – of all of those random things that need doing and just get them done. For instance, I need to replace my ID because I’ve been taking my passport into clubs for months, and that’s not great. And call my bank.

If nothing else, manipulate yourself – booked a dentist appointment? That deserves a lunch at Leon. Watched five lectures in one day? You’ve like… literally earned sports night.