Navigating Academic Burnout and Self-Care

In this vlog, the creator provides an intimate look into the high-pressure life of a university student during the peak of "exam season." The narrative captures the raw reality of academic stress, the necessity of personal grooming routines as a grounding mechanism, and the balancing act required to maintain productivity after returning from travel.

The Reality of Exam Season and Academic Anxiety

The creator admits that "everyday is the same" during exam season, leading to significant feelings of "anxiety" and stress. To cope with the overwhelming workload, the student resorts to drastic measures, such as waking up at "4:03 AM" on weekends to "cram all my work." This strategy is born out of a need to avoid falling asleep during weekday classes due to sheer exhaustion. The creator reflects on the fast pace of the semester, noting that "this semester flew by," and expresses the common struggle of balancing individual study habits with the demands of "final presentations" and "group projects." While the creator prefers to "lock in on my own" to get tasks done efficiently, they acknowledge that collaborative work is an unavoidable reality of "real life."

Skincare as a Ritual of Relaxation

Amidst the academic chaos, the creator emphasizes the importance of a structured skincare routine using products from Yepuda. The nighttime routine, featuring the "calm balm" and a "nighttime skin cream" made with "cica lavender," serves as a meditative practice to decompress. The creator highlights the sensory experience of these products, noting how the balm feels "really relaxing on the skin" and helps melt away makeup and impurities.

In the morning, the routine shifts to products that provide a "non-sticky glow," such as the "bubble double cleanser" infused with "acid" and the "glow hero" oil-serum hybrid. These products are specifically chosen because they do not interfere with makeup application, ensuring the skin remains "plump and very moisturized" throughout the day.

Lifestyle, Fitness, and Getting Ready

The creator also focuses on maintaining physical health by re-integrating fitness into their schedule, whether through "yoga, light stretches, or actually going to the gym." Even during gym sessions, the creator maintains a sense of style and practicality, utilizing a "leopard bag" as a tote because of its "cute design."

Before heading out to a cafe to focus on studies, the creator performs a detailed makeup routine. Key highlights include:

• Base Layering: Using Elf's "power grip primer" to create a "sticky base" and MAC's "strobe cream," a product the creator associates with childhood memories.
• Aegyo-sal Technique: The creator demonstrates an effective way to define the aegyo-sal using an "ashy brown shade" from a Wakemake product, which they call the "best aegyo-sal maker."
• Seasonal Aesthetics: As the year nears its end, the creator opts for "rosy red" lip colors to embrace the "christmas vibes," proving that small aesthetic choices provide a necessary distraction from the looming academic pressure.

Ultimately, the vlog serves as a testament to the resilience of students who must navigate the fine line between intense academic commitment and the need for self-preservation through routines and personal expression.