Midterms are getting closer and with midterms usually comes an overload of stress. If you are one of those lucky people who don’t have midterms in the traditional sense, or aren’t feeling overwhelmed by the idea of midterms, I envy you and please teach me your ways. For the rest of you, I am here to provide some tips and tricks so that you too can over-come the Midterm blues. Just remember, we are all in this together!
Tip #1: Work ahead!
If it is at all possible, do your best to work ahead. If you find yourself with a busy week coming up, but are currently in the middle of an easier week as far as work goes, schedule some time to get ahead of the game. It may mean less free time or one less episode of Netflix, but sacrificing those things for a less stressful midterm week may just prove to be worth it.
Tip #2: Get outside!
Whether it’s to get out of the library and catch the last few rays of Vitamin D, before winter arrives, do some work outside. If working outside isn’t compatible with how you work or with the kind of work you need to be doing, do a quick lap around the library and the dorms. Get fresh air, you’ll feel better after you do.
Tip #3: Complain to friends (or family) (or your advisor) (or the lady who serves the delicious Kove meals)
Sometimes stress can be relieved by simply talking about it to other people. When you find yourself becoming overwhelmed with the amount of work you need to complete before fall pause, talk it out. Sit down with a friend or an advisor, call your mom or dad on the phone, talk to a Dickinson faculty member you’ve developed a relationship with while at school. More often than not, talking it out will help you realize that there isn’t that much to accomplish and you have way more time than you think you do to get it all done.
Tip #4: Get some exercise!
I am a big fan of the gym and its ability to diminish the stress I’m feeling. As the weather gets a little cooler, consider going for a stroll around the park (or a run if you feel so compelled). If you can’t find time to exercise prior to the sun going down, head to a fitness class or the gym! Punch the punching bag a couple of times, lift some weights, use the bike, anything that you feel will help alleviate some of your stress with endorphins.
Tip #5: Consider working on the weekends.
I know, I know, Friday and Saturdays are meant to be relaxing, but hear me out. If you do some work on Friday and Saturdays, not only will your workload on Sunday be significantly less, but you’ll also still be able to go to that party on Friday night or the game Saturday afternoon. There are plenty of hours in the day, you just have to use them wisely.
Tip #6: Take a break!
If you’ve been doing work for five hours straight, are three cups of coffee deep, and it seems like there is no end in sight, Take a Break! No class, and no grade is worth the sacrifice of your mental health. If the time of day is conducive to you getting back to work, take an hour’s break. Do any of the things listed above. Take a nap, watch an episode (or 3) of Netflix. Give your brain some rest.
Tip #7: If you can, avoid pulling all-nighters!
Your body will thank you in the end. If you really need to stay up all night, consider going to bed and waking up early the next morning in order to keep on working. Getting as much rest as you can is an important aspect of achieving good grades that people often forget. It’s often better to get sleep than it is to continue studying the same material over and over again, well into the night. Sleep, will also help when it comes to writing papers, because a fresh set of eyes and a rested mind are often what it takes to catch simple spelling and grammatical errors.
If this is your first time taking midterms, don’t stress. It’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be. You are smarter and more capable than your sleep deprived mind is allowing you to believe. If you’ve experienced midterms before, remember that you are capable and that if you’ve survived midterms once you can survive them one hundred times again. Good luck! Fall Pause is right around the corner.