Can you believe how fast time flies?
Its pretty much the middle of December and that means the end of 2014 AND the end of Semester 1 of my 3rd year in Architecture.
(yes thats my cat, Zoey looking out the window and the succulents I planted about 8 months back..now most of the succulents are dead...)
This month is finals month probably all around the globe. hahaha Things here are currently crazy and disorganised. Overdue assignments...final project hanging on the line...my whole existence on this planet is a mystery and questionable. If you're like me, at the edge of it all....gimme a virtual high 5! KAHKAH.
To be honest, everyone that I talk to...my boyfriend, my parents, my studio mates all say the same thing. Life IS like that and nothing is gonna get easier but we'll eventually (and hopefully) become smarter and learn from our mistakes and move forward and achieve something great! (so many ands....)
I started out this blog to be pretty much about my daily ramblings or when I'm frustrated and a place for me to be all philosophical. (and probably whine a lot) hahaha but at the same time...I hope whoever reads this will know that you're not alone and everyone is going through something similar or on par to what you're going through.
SO TODAY, while I am busy ignoring my workload for about 30 minutes...I'd like to share my tips on how to not get too stressed when you're going through finals. Or maybe you can even use these tips even if you're working. maybe it'll help. I donno.worth a shot riiiighht ;D
1. TALK TO SOMEONE
Maybe its just me....but I find talking to someone tends to help me realise what exactly I'm suppose to be doing. I'd get so uptight about my situation and eventually will go through an emotional breakdown. I talked to my parents. Talked to my boyfriend and I even talked to my lecturer. (I literally broke down infront of my lecturer and my friend, Iqbal)
You can and you should talk to whoever you feel comfortable with. Apart from being able to let go of the emotional baggage thats clinging you down...you get a fresh perspective from someone, especially from someone not in the same scene as you are. (exp: family, loved one, really close best friend, cat)
2. WRITE IT OUT
Sometimes talking isn't you're thing. And thats cool. Maybe you're shy and you don't really feel comfortable talking about something as intimate as this. I feel the same way.
(Dear introverts, please stop saying you hate small talk but love deep conversations...how are you even suppose to go into a deep conversation without the small talk????) (sorry..thats just my honest opinion. feel free to accept it or curse me about it)
Writing it out will really help you let go of some of the emotional baggage.
3. Write out whatever that needs to get done. AND STICK TO IT!
To be honest...I'm a terrible at this. I totally suck at this but it helps you realise the stuff that needs to get done. Having total discipline in sticking to it is something I'm still lacking on. But I truly believe this is like the basics.
4. Allow yourself to sleep.
AAAhhh....Sleep....the most rewarding thing to an architecture student...and I believe to anyone really. Sleep is important. and by default we normally sleep for about 8 hours (just an average estimation here). If you're tired and you don't want to look at the auto cad drawing anymore, allow yourself to rest. Your mind needs to rest and so does your body. There's no point of you setting your alarm every hour only to snooze it and be tired the next day and not get any work done. Sucks right? sleep. wake up at a reasonable hour and get to work. you'll function better and your body will thank you for it.
5. Allow yourself to go out and eat.
Eat. Sleep. Its basic human necessities. As an architect, you design buildings for HUMANS. You design buildings for their comfort and for them to carry out their basic human needs. I'm pretty sure YOU'RE HUMAN TOO! so stop torturing yourself. GO OUT AND EAT. (or cook, if you're on a tight budget)
6. Pet your cat/dog/animal companion and ask them to do your work for you
HAHA ok I'm kidding about the whole work thing. But relaxing with your pet is really nice. and according to some pets book I read waaaaayyy back. They say petting an animal and lower your stress levels. I donno bout you. but i definitely love smothering my cat.
you can obviously tell she is not so keen on snuggling with me...hahahaha but she keeps me company during my late hours.
7. Set realistic goals
There's nothing more depressing than setting unrealistic goals like completing all my floor plans tonight or gonna do 3 assignments at once. KNOW YOUR LIMITS and KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF DOING.
Im very new to the whole Computer Aided Drafting softwares and I know the very very very basic of 3D modelling with Sketchup. Because of that I know I am slow in my work. I know it is unrealistic for me to achieve completing all my floor plans and elevations in one night and before midnight. (thats when the sandman visits and starts sprinkling his magic sleeping sand on my eyelids and I get so sleepy).
So for myself, I know I can only do a couple of elevations in a night and work my way around it. of course I do my best to work faster.
8. 80% of the problem in your head is really...JUST IN YOUR HEAD!
Do whatever it takes to get your work done. The only person stopping you is YOU (so cliche...I knowwww) but thats the truth. You and your beautiful creative brain is the only stopping you from doing your work. Compartmentalise all the junk thats not needed in your head and just focus on your work.
I hope these 8 tips somewhat give you an idea of how to chill and get your work done. I honestly think this post is for myself. I'm struggling in keeping everything afloat and I hope with the effort that I put in is enough to help me get through with a solid B. PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE....
till next time,
Wish me luck.
Pray I get through this!
Xx,
Sarah
