Phil Randall & Judi Gibbons from the Student Counseling Center provide tips and things to remember as we wrap up the semester and students prepare to return home for the summer break.

This academic year unfolded in a way no one expected and yet we can all celebrate that we made it through. The Student Counseling Center has been providing our full array of services to students through a virtual format this year. We recognize that students across the UT community have been juggling the academic, social, and personal challenges posed by COVID while also navigating the usual stress of college. This year has been challenging for sure. What may be surprising is that going home or taking a break may pose unexpected challenges. So here are a few tips to guide your transition home for the summer.

During finals and after you return home, keep tabs on your stress level. Ask others to check in on you and return the favor for them. Take a moment each day to check in with yourself and figure out where you are on the stress curve. Be proactive with your stress management, caring for yourself before you think you need it, and especially when it feels like you don’t have the time. You will be much more productive in all your activities with a good night of sleep, a healthy meal, and staying connected to your support network.

Summer offers a time to rest, but don’t succumb to complacency. Keep a routine as best you can during this time – about the same time to wake and sleep, exercise, and eat. Keep that routine AT LEAST until you finish finals, but hopefully, all summer long. It can be stressful to keep a very loose schedule all summer and then return to a “work” schedule in the fall. Establish habits you want to continue when you return to campus in the fall.

After finals, take some time to reflect on the semester — what worked for you this semester, and what didn’t; ask how you can set yourself up for success next year? Look forward. What is coming up next year that you can get a head start on? You might create or refine your resume, investigate places to do internships, or look for scholarships.

Find a project! Many of us have something that’s waiting until we have enough time… well this is it! Maybe an art or craft project, help your mom organize old family photos, do maintenance on your car or home, read a non-school book, make an exercise habit, or just do that ”thing” you’ve been putting off too long.

Over the break, keep the Vol Spirit going! There are many services that still need volunteers, especially over break times when regular volunteers may want to take time off. Try Meals on Wheels or your local food pantry, an animal shelter or humane society, or make supportive cards for hospital or nursing home patients or essential workers. For more ideas, try All For Good or Volunteer East Tennessee.

Stay connected with people and activities that give you purpose. Most people really appreciate an unexpected check-in from friends or family. Be intentionally kind and practice gratitude. And perhaps most importantly, be patient with yourself. Be patient with others. If you are filled with great intentions but do little but relax for the break, cut yourself some slack. Just relaxing without the stress of “I should be doing something!” is important. We’re all doing the best we can. You are enough.