At this point of the semester, everyone’s only motivation is getting through the next couple of weeks before spring break. Whether you’re studying for exams or have a million pages of papers to write, midterms week is brutal for everyone. Luckily, spring break is right around the corner and there are ways to make these weeks hurt a little less.
- Plan ahead
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The most helpful thing to do is write down everything you need to do in advance. Having it all down in one spot is very helpful, and being able to cross things off the list, no matter how small, can feel satisfying. This allows you to plan out manageable amounts of work for each day, and you’ll know exactly what you need to do.
- Meaningful breaks
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When planning out your days, make sure to schedule meaningful breaks. Not having enough breaks and using them ineffectively can quickly lead to burnout. I like to spend time with friends and actively try not to think or talk about how much work we need to do. This helps maintain positive energy and maximize your breaks.
- Move your body
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If I don’t workout during stressful weeks, I lose my mind. Going for a run and sweating it all out is the best feeling. But if that’s not your vibe, a walk on the treadmill or even light yoga is really beneficial because you can channel your stress into something productive.
- Going to bed early is underrated
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If you plan your week strategically, you can go to bed and get a full night of sleep every night. Avoid pulling all nighters, as they never help in the long run. Also, it is impossible to have any motivation to study when you can barely stay awake. Take melatonin if necessary, as it can be very helpful for falling asleep.
- Out of sight, out of mind
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Once you take your test or turn in your project, don’t think about it anymore. You will waste so much energy worrying about your grade – which does not help at all. Instead, think about how much you have accomplished and how close you are to break.
- Relax on break
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Once you survive the week, make sure you have a great spring break. Even if you are not traveling, still make sure to do something for yourself and come back to school revived because the second half of spring semester really flies by.