By Brian Li

With spring break being moved back to April, students are left without their annual week off to relax and recollect themselves in the middle of March. The yearly March break has been a tradition for students since they were in kindergarten! The change in this year’s school schedule puts an odd change in the routine of millions of students. Ontario students can not rely on March break anymore to relieve some stress that has been building up, especially with the fast pace of quadmesters this year. This raises the concern for the mental health of students who have already dealt with half an abnormal year in terms of learning. The lack of a break can also cause an increase in levels of stress. Here are three mental health tips for you to use if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I hope they help you power through the third quadmester and lead you into a healthy fourth quadmester!

1. Remember To Take Breaks!

Please, do yourself a favour and take a break when you need one! If you’re overwhelmed or stressed, take 30 minutes or maybe even an hour. Come back to your work when you feel like you’re ready. You’ll feel better and work more efficiently! You will also give your eyes some rest from looking at a computer screen for too long.

2. Set a Routine

I know we’re all tempted to sleep in a couple more minutes before class starts, but it is very valuable to set a routine for yourself to follow. A routine increases your productivity as you go on with your day!

3. Stay Active!

There are two things to keep in mind with this tip! First, stay physically active! Go outside for 5 minutes, get some fresh air, and do a quick jog around the block. Second, stay active amongst your support group. This could be family or friends, actively seek help if you need it.

Good luck with the rest of the quadmester!