How UMD Students Combat the Sunday Scaries
By Josie Jack
December 10, 2021
The Sunday Scaries are the dread, anxiety, fear and disappointment of an upcoming work/school week. It can be especially overwhelming for college students who often must work or do school work on weekends.
Mark Kvarta, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said humans are wired for anticipation, even negative anticipation, which is why people often begin dreading the work week on Sundays.
Here’s how three UMD students handle their Sunday Scaries:
Self Care
Mark Kvarta, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said humans are wired for anticipation, even negative anticipation, which is why people often begin dreading the work week on Sundays.
Here’s how three UMD students handle their Sunday Scaries:
Self Care
Julia Snoke brushes her teeth in the morning. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Maya Ransome preps meals for the week. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Anaya Steward does her hair. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Sophomore Chinese major Maya Ransome, middle, summed up her Sunday routine using three words: “Relaxing, productive and essential.”
Cleaning
Cleaning
Anaya Steward does the dishes. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Julia Snoke does laundry. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Maya Ransome cleans her apartment kitchen. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Freshman secondary education major Julia Snoke, middle, was surprised to see very few washing machines in use when she did laundry. She often does laundry on Sundays.
“Do some things that are more time consuming, but don't take as much sort of mental power on a Sunday,” said Kvarta. “Whether that's setting out your laundry, planning your meals, making your to do lists.”
Homework
“Do some things that are more time consuming, but don't take as much sort of mental power on a Sunday,” said Kvarta. “Whether that's setting out your laundry, planning your meals, making your to do lists.”
Homework
Anaya Steward studies in her living room. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Julia Snoke studies in her dorm room. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Maya Ransome does homework in her bedroom. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Sophomore computer science major Anaya Steward, top, often does homework in the Stamp Student Union, in her apartment or in a friend’s apartment. Sundays are her catch-up days.
Kvarta recommends doing homework on Sunday mornings to get it out of the way and leave time for yourself.
Relaxing
Kvarta recommends doing homework on Sunday mornings to get it out of the way and leave time for yourself.
Relaxing
Julia Snoke catches up with her roommate. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Julia Snoke heads to the dining hall for brunch with a friend on Sundays. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Maya Ransome eat popcorn and watches Netflix to unwind. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Maya Ransome watches TikTok in bed before she goes to sleep. Image Credit: Josie Jack for The Campus Trainer
Snoke often prioritizes social activities to combat her Sunday Scaries, while Ransome enjoys alone time.
“That's my biggest tip is find some time to turn off that part of your brain,” said Kvarta.
He also added that seemingly “unproductive” activities can be productive in their own way. For example, going for a walk with a friend allows you to build relationships and get exercise.
Snoke’s biggest advice for fighting the Sunday Scaries is simple.
“Try not to procrastinate, even though most of us do a lot, and try to get out of your room so you're not just confined to that one space and you can get some air and get a little break.”
“That's my biggest tip is find some time to turn off that part of your brain,” said Kvarta.
He also added that seemingly “unproductive” activities can be productive in their own way. For example, going for a walk with a friend allows you to build relationships and get exercise.
Snoke’s biggest advice for fighting the Sunday Scaries is simple.
“Try not to procrastinate, even though most of us do a lot, and try to get out of your room so you're not just confined to that one space and you can get some air and get a little break.”