November always sneaks up quietly. It’s the in-between month, past the chaos of midterms, and the excitement of the new school year is gone; finals are creeping up, and the weather’s cold enough to make you want to sleep in. It’s easy to slip into survival mode, just trying to make it through each week. But instead of waiting until New Year’s to “start fresh,” November can be a solid time to reset.
You’ve probably heard of “No-Spend November,” but this doesn’t mean cutting everything; it means spending smarter by paying attention to what you buy. College life makes it too easy to fall into small habits that drain your bank account fast, so check how often you’re buying coffee, DoorDash, or random things you don’t need. Even cutting back a little can make your wallet hurt less by the end of the month. You don’t have to go extreme; try small swaps like making coffee in your dorm, using your meal swipes more often, or planning a Target trip once a week instead of multiple times. It’s more about building awareness than a restriction. The more aware you are of your spending, the more confident you’ll feel heading into the holidays, when money always disappears even faster.
Start holiday preparation early. When finals hit, you’re not going to have the energy to shop for gifts or plan anything. Getting ahead now saves both money and stress. Start by creating a quick list of who you want to buy a gift for and set a limit. If you’re on a student budget, small gestures count, such as a handmade card, a baked treat, or even planning a chill night with friends before break can mean just as much as a pricey present. The best part about starting early is that you get to enjoy the holidays instead of rushing through them. You’ll actually have time to be present, to decorate, relax, and breathe instead of scrolling through Amazon in a panic the night before heading home. Planning isn’t about being overly responsible; it’s about making space to actually enjoy the end of the semester.
Another thing to do is to adjust your skincare, because the cold weather doesn’t play. If your face randomly feels dry, it’s due to your skincare routine. Cold air and dorm heaters ruin moisture. You don’t have to purchase expensive items; just switching to a gentle cleanser, a thicker moisturizer, and using SPF does the job. Look for barrier-supporting / hydrating ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide. These help keep moisture in and your skin less freaked out. I personally use CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, and it has left my skin with fewer breakouts and is very soft when I follow up with the CeraVe moisturizer. It’s not about being high-maintenance; it’s about feeling refreshed and clean in your 8 a.m. class, so do some research on your skin type to find the right skincare for you.
The middle of the semester always feels heavy, so make sure you’re taking care of yourself and doing at least one thing a day for your mental health. It could be taking a walk after class, listening to music, keeping a journal, or jotting down something that went right that day. There are multiple resources on campus. If you start to feel overwhelmed, you can talk to someone. A quick check in with a friend or counselor can make a difference.
Reflect before the year ends. November’s a good time to pause before everything speeds up. You’re close enough to the end of the semester to see what worked and what didn’t. Think about the habits you want to keep and the ones that drained you. Reflection doesn’t have to mean deep journaling or big revelations. It can be as simple as recognizing how far you’ve come since August. Even surviving a rough class or making it through busy weeks counts as progress. Take a note of what you learned about yourself this semester, what motivates you, what throws you off, and what you actually care about. That awareness is what makes the next semester easier to handle.
November isn’t just a countdown to finals or break. It can be, but it could also be a chance to slow down and reset before everything restarts. These goals aren’t dramatic or life-changing; they’re the kind that make you feel a little more balanced when things get messy. Give yourself credit for making it this far, and use this month to steady yourself before the next rush hits.
