Welcome to Concrete Jungle — a biweekly series where Brooklyn native Madison Black helps you navigate the ins and outs of NYC as a college student. Think of it as your personal survival guide, if you will. This week, we’ll get right into how to combat fatigue during the spring semester!

Hey y’all … still hanging in there?

This month is almost coming to an end and it’s crazy to say that we only have about three months left in the semester.

I can’t help but feel a very big ounce of fatigue. I have no clue why, but the past month has felt as if I’ve been sleepwalking. Maybe it’s because my life is about as unpredictable as an Eric Adams side quest.

But I’m sure for many of us, much of that fatigue hasn’t just come from Canvas notifications that are about as nerve-racking as an amber alert. Being in New York can definitely contribute to the exhaustion many of us college students are experiencing right now.

The weather is getting drastically colder and daylight savings is Sunday, March 9, prompting many of us to constantly hit snooze on our alarm or just go straight home after class.

So how can we combat the sleepwalking that comes with being a college student, but also living in the city that (quite literally) never sleeps?

Well, as your deadass Timbs-wearing fairy godmother, I may have a few tips to help you out (but I’m sure you already knew that).

1. Watch what you eat. It’ll either give you the ‘itis’ or food poisoning.

When it comes to saving money as a college student, food is definitely one of the main benefactors in our budgeting. Especially in this economy.

But even in the midst of saving up, we should still keep track of what we eat. Your diet impacts your productivity, attention span, overall health, and definitely your pockets.

Food can be a big determining factor in the productivity of your daily tasks, and it can either give you the energy of a sloth or that of a Luigi Mangione fangirl.

So, if you need a coffee every now and then, don’t be afraid to spend your coin. But getting one every day might make you crash out like a Rula TikTok video by the end of the week.

Also, keep track of how often you’re eating out. Eating a McGriddle at 10 a.m. every day can definitely do some damage to your wallet … and your toilet.

But the majority of the time, your energy levels start in your gut. Be mindful of what you’re putting in it.

2. Do some sort of physical activity — if that includes running away from a creep on the street, then do what you gotta do.

For me personally, I’ve been on a fitness journey since the pandemic (going on 5 years now). And while I’ll admit that I go to the gym simply because I like to look good, a big reason why I go is because of the role it plays in boosting my mental health.

According to CNN, physical activity can help a lot with getting some much needed deep sleep. So whether you’re running on the treadmill or running to the print center before class, try to get some sort of exercise during your school week. It can make you feel good every now and then … and look good too.

3. Go to bed early! I know doom-scrolling is a cherished routine for most of us, but come on guys, let’s lock in.

Now that TikTok — the ultimate guilty pleasure — is officially back, many of us can’t help but to go straight to our phones to decompress after a long day of classes and studying. But the reality is that the constant doom-scrolling can definitely have some impact on our productivity as students.

So as much as we may want to see a new clip of the beef between Bhad Bhabie and Alabama Barker or a new Alex Consani meme, those college credits are more important. So take your butt to bed!

Make sure your alarm is on deck. Prioritize your rest and your overall health. Can’t combat fatigue without actually going to sleep!

In the end, it’s important to take time out of your day to combat any sort of exhaustion, especially as college students in New York. This degree isn’t gonna come on its own! Make sure you’re prioritizing your rest and your overall well-being. Now is the time to control your habits and your overall wellness, cause no one else will do it for you.