Just in case the weather hasn’t made it clear yet, allow me to let you in on a little secret: spring has sprung. But, just in case your professors haven’t made it clear yet, I also must inform you that there’s a huge mountain looming ahead that, unfortunately, we must climb before we can claim Sweet Spring Break Victory.
So in the last bitter days before we can catch a one-week glimpse of summer, here’s a few steps on how to avoid a pre-break disaster.
Step 1: Embrace the Midterm
Yes, although it is depressing, we must embrace the midterm. There is no getting around it. Most everyone has either a full-on hardcore midterm, or a giant diabolical project waiting still left to do. We all wade in a pool of our own tears, but that, my friends, is where we can rejoice. Together, we struggle for the common goal of Spring Break. So if we accept that in these next few days suffering is, indeed, ahead, we can better survive and succeed.
Step 2: Release the Stress
There are, of course, many ways to release the stress. But one method that is basically an all-around, win-win situation is exercise. And, no, I don’t mean walking to class. I mean straight up drag-your-butt-over-to-the-gym-and-get-a-little-sweaty kind of exercise. Don’t be afraid that people are going to judge you. Most people in the gym are too worried about how they look or about their own workout to pay much attention.
So why should we exercise to relieve stress? Because one: exercise releases endorphins that make you happy, and happiness isn’t stress! Or in the words of Elle Woods…
Two: exercise gets your blood flowing through your body and your brain. YES, YOUR BRAIN! That blood is extraordinarily valuable to learning and understanding whatever it is you are studying. And Three: working out gives you better self-confidence. And during midterms, who couldn’t use a little boost?
Step 3: Keep the Dignity
This kind of goes along with the last bit of Step 2, but we always need to remember to keep our dignity. Let’s be honest, during this last week, all we really want to do is curl up into a ball, cry, and sleep until its Spring Break. But that really isn’t reality.
Instead, we need to fight back. Tell those midterms, “COME AT ME, BRO!” Do your make-up, style your hair, paint your nails, spray on perfume. Show the world that you are suffering through midterms with grace and class and ‘aint NOTHIN’ GONNA BRING YOU DOWN, GURL!
Step 4: Feed the Hunger
So we’ve already released the stress. Now it’s time to feed the hunger. You’ve already got enough on your plate, so for one week, just one week, don’t think so hard about what you eat. Want soft serve at the commons? Cone it. Need a Venti Starbucks Frap? Buy it. Crave a salty snack? Chip it. The world is yours, and you can take it. Put some chocolate chips in your pancakes, finish your plate of French fries, and call it a day. One week won’t ruin your beach bod. So live a little and stride through these last days.
Step 5: Start the Party
You’ve made it. It’s finally here. The Spring Break we’ve all been waiting for. You’ve freaked out, worked out, pigged out, and now you can Spring Break the heck out of TO (unless you commute, then it gets awkward).
So don’t forget these steps. They aren’t just for midterms, they are for life. And when you make it through there are beach days, friend days, and lazy days waiting ahead.
GO YOU. GO US. GO CALLU!
Cover Photo Provided by: http://3rc.co.za/studymethods/