Last Tuesday, I sat down to review my notes for midterms and somehow ended up watching a stranger's morning routine in Denmark. Three hours later my textbook was still closed, my anxiety had tripled and I couldn't even remember how I got there.
Sound familiar?
Midterms are just around the corner, and you might catch yourself doing anything but studying, like endlessly scrolling through social media or consuming hot news. We've all been there. But here's the thing: this isn't just procrastination. It's our brains desperately seeking stimulation, just in all the wrong places.
Instead of mindlessly feeding your brain more screen time, what if you chose habits that genuinely nourish it?
I've tested countless ways to break this cycle so you don't have to waste time. The solution isn't willpower alone—it's being intentional about what your mind actually needs.
Here are five simple, practical habits anyone can try. These habits will help you recharge, reflect and take back control. And yes, they fit even the busiest student schedules!
1. Dump journaling: Your brain’s daily download
Sometimes my brain feels like a cluttered browser with too many tabs open. Dump journaling is my way of clearing that cache.
I set a 10-minute timer before bed and let my pen run wild—worries about assignments, random dinner ideas, even silly thoughts I'd normally keep to myself.
The magic happens when you look back and realize problems that once felt heavy shrink down to words on a page.
Pro tip: Keep a small notebook in your backpack. Swapping even one doomscrolling break for a quick “brain dump” session can lift your mood instantly. This habit is perfect before bed (for better sleep), first thing in the morning (to start fresh) or when your thoughts feel too scattered to study.
2. Sketching: Seeing the world with new eyes
I’m not an artist, but sometimes during coffee breaks, I’ll sketch whatever’s in front of me—my latte cup, a tree outside Vari Hall or even doodles of classmates rushing by.
It doesn’t matter how it looks; what matters is noticing details I normally ignore. Suddenly, I see the steam curling from the cup or the way sunlight hits a window. That shift pulls me into the present moment in a way scrolling never does.
3. Sudoku: The 5-minute mental reset
If sketching teaches you to slow down and observe the world differently, Sudoku gives your brain a quick, playful challenge. Sudoku became my go-to on subway rides when I realized social media just made me more restless. It’s soothing in a strangely satisfying way—pure logic and no comparisons or news overload.
The moment you click the final number in that little grid? It delivers a tiny spark of accomplishment that lights up your day.
4. Learn one new thing each week
This one’s my personal favourite. Every Sunday, I choose one topic outside of my courses and give myself permission to dive in. It feels freeing to learn something just because I’m genuinely curious—not because it’s on a syllabus.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve picked up recently actually came from the Well-being and YU Podcast. This student-led podcast is crafted for our York community—perfectly designed for moments like your commute, or a quick pause before an exam. It helps you with relatable conversations and mindful practices that speak to student life.
Pick something small: how bread rises, why leaves change colour, the history of your neighbourhood. Even just 15–20 minutes of exploring something new can spark joy and curiosity, reminding you that learning doesn’t have to feel tedious. You’ll come back to your midterm prep feeling lighter, more focused, and a little more motivated to keep going.
Here's what no one tells you: while training your brain academically, it's equally important to nourish it recreationally. The same mind analyzing literature or solving equations also craves play, puzzles and creativity outside the classroom.
The goal isn’t to become a journaling pro or a Sudoku master overnight. It’s simply to remind your brain what genuine engagement and curiosity feels like.
These aren’t “distractions” from your real life. They’re investments in the quality of your thinking, your ability to focus and your overall well-being in a way that scrolling can never deliver.