Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
  • News
    • Campus
    • Local
    • World
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Film
    • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
    • Campus Happenings
    • Community Happenings
    • Food
    • Business
    • Travel
    • Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
    • Globe News
    • What’s Bruin
    • Bruin Lens
    • Film
    • Music
    • Globe Shorts
  • Radio
Search
96.7 F
Salt Lake City
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Contests
  • About The Globe
    • Staff
    • Jobs
    • Issue PDFs
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
The Globe The Globe
The Globe The Globe
  • News
    • Campus
    • Local
    • World
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Film
    • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
    • Campus Happenings
    • Community Happenings
    • Food
    • Business
    • Travel
    • Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
    • Globe News
    • What’s Bruin
    • Bruin Lens
    • Film
    • Music
    • Globe Shorts
  • Radio
Home Opinion Ask Mom: Bummed
  • Opinion

Ask Mom: Bummed

By
Kathryn Jones
-
July 21, 2010
0

Dear Mom,

The good news is that the summer semester is almost over-the bad news is that I have run out of steam. When some of my friends are going places, literally, I am stuck doing homework or studying for one test or another. I can’t even stay awake to read. I know you’ve talked about study habits before, like not waiting until the last minute to do your homework and stuff like that, but I would like to know how to keep going when you’re missing everything.

Sincerely,

Bummed

Dear Bummed,

There is nothing worse than working when you see everyone else having fun, but that’s why you’re in college. Having said that, I don’t believe you need to be a hermit and completely hate your life. You need to continue to work hard, yes, but you don’t need to become a slave to it. Let me explain what I mean.

The weather is nice outside, so I would make the best of it. I wouldn’t sit in doors all day reading and studying. I would make a trip outside. Even if you have to study, you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. I am rejuvenated when I spend some time with the flowers, when I drink in the fresh air.

Go outside the campus doors. Take advantage of the grass, the benches, the outside places to eat.

Travel to a local park. Sit under a tree. Have some lunch.

Go up to the mountains for an afternoon hike.

Sit in your own backyard.

Make a list of 10 reasons you are going to school. Tack the list up by your bed or bathroom mirror; a place you will see it every day.

After finishing an assignment, reward yourself with an ice-cream cone or other treat. If you make it a healthy treat, that’s even better.

Take 15 minutes and call a friend.

I have said this one before but it bears repeating; take needed breaks every two hours or so. You need time to stretch your legs and calm your brain. Ever read a page and not know what you’ve read? It’s time to take a break.

Go swimming. Bring your books and read them while you’re tanning.

Go to the zoo with a friend. Take along your books. At lunch, find some shade to read for a while.

Write the first draft of your paper while talking into a tape recorder. Many people find that verbalizing their thoughts opens their minds to new ideas and prevents writer’s block.

Spend a half an hour or so helping someone else with his or her homework-you’ll be amazed what the service will do for you.

In the end, studying is one of those things you really can’t get away from, but the good news is you can make it better, and even a bit more fun. Instead of dreaming about being somewhere else, be positive about where you are now. Thinking positively is perhaps the best thing you can do.

Love,

Mom

  • TAGS
  • advice
  • Ask Mom
  • column
  • tips
Kathryn Jones

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Illustration of unruly passengers at an airport

Air etiquette: the proper way to fly

White speech bubble on a silver background

Guest column: My identity shouldn’t prevent me from living my American dream.

White speech bubble on a silver background

Guest column: To keep students in college, focus on their mental health

Aerial view of Utah during the winter season

With snow approaching, here are some tips to stay safe on the road

A pen hovering over a Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

Filing taxes doesn’t have to be complicated, professors say

The Globe
ABOUT US
About The Globe
Staff
Jobs
Issue PDFs
FOLLOW US
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
  • About The Globe
  • Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2025 The Globe