If there’s anything I’ve learned from my first three months in college, it’s that the Sunday reset is an essential bookend to the perfect weekend, and without it, getting up on Monday mornings would be just about impossible. If I do say so myself, I have perfected the art of the Sunday reset, and the golden key is, as anticipated, to eat and eat and eat.
Step 1: Coffee
As much as Sundays are for sleeping in, at a certain point you need to get up and get started with your day. But what is there to look forward to? Homework, finals, and the looming countdown to Monday morning. None of those are motivating. So, we resort to a good old coffee.
My recommendations: Collectivo (often crowded but a good place to start), Starbucks, Cupitol, or Pâtisserie Coralie (a personal favorite). A good failsafe is keeping cold brew and a delicious creamer in your dorm fridge. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’ll make you feel productive even when it’s 12pm and all you’ve done is get out of bed. Or, if you live in a dorm with a dining hall, now’s the time to trek downstairs and make use of those unlimited meal swipes in exchange for a coffee to jumpstart your day.
Step 2: One Really (I mean Really) Good Meal
Now, this is crucial. Chances are you slept through breakfast and are eating something from your dwindling supply of dorm snacks. So, be it lunch, dinner, or anything in between, one really good meal is non-negotiable. If you’ve fallen victim to the free food outside the arch in exchange for a month of Dash-Pass, now’s your time to take advantage of that free delivery and order yourself something delicious. Or, if you’re feeling brave, get out of bed and hike it into downtown Evanston. Get some fresh air, comfort food, and you’re on your way to completely kicking the Sunday scaries.
My recommendations: Brunch at Fridas or Cupitol, Lunch at Mensch’s or Picnic, or dinner at Mira Sushi or Pono Ono Poke. DoorDashing Noodles & Company is the perfect backup if you’re not ready to leave the house just yet.
Step 3: Grocery shopping
Finally, if you haven’t already, it’s time to get yourself out of the dorm. My roommate and I are frequents at Whole Foods in Evanston, you can find us in front of the cold brew fridges at 5pm every Sunday stocking up on everything we need for the week ahead. Honestly, the bottom line here is you just need something to get you out of bed on Monday morning.
My recommendations: Hot or cold coffee, fruit, yogurt, or those boxes of mini croissants (they’ll last you an entire week, guaranteed).