It’s 5 p.m. on a Sunday. The weekend is fading, and an unstructured evening stretches ahead, bringing a familiar sense of dread about the coming week. For students living away from home, this feeling—the “Sunday Scaries”—can be particularly intense. It’s a mix of loneliness and the pressure of facing another week alone.
The best way to fight this is with a simple, personal ritual: the Sunday Reset.
This isn’t about being hyper-productive. It’s about creating an anchor of calm that grounds you and sets a positive tone for the week. Your reset can take just an hour. Here’s a simple template:
- Clear Your Space (Gently): Spend just 15 minutes tidying up your room. Put away clothes, clear your desk, and make your bed. A calm physical space encourages a calm mental space. You’re not doing a deep clean; you’re just creating order.
- Plan Your Plate (Literally): Think about what you’ll eat for lunch for the next two days. Maybe boil some eggs or chop some vegetables. Making one or two small food decisions now eliminates a dozen “what do I eat?” moments during a busy week.
- Glance at the Week Ahead: Open your calendar or planner. What’s the most important thing you need to do on Monday? What about Wednesday? Just knowing what’s coming reduces anxiety. This isn’t about making a detailed schedule; it’s about gentle awareness.
- Do Something Just for You: This is the most crucial step. Watch an episode of a show you love without feeling guilty. Call your family and really connect. Read a chapter of a book that has nothing to do with your classes. This is how you recharge your battery.
Your Sunday Reset is your own. It’s a promise to yourself that you are in control. At Khizar, we often pair students up as accountability partners. Sharing your “reset” plan with a friend can make it something to look forward to.
A good week begins with a calm Sunday. You’ve got this.
