How to Survive Midterm Season

With the midterm season coming up in just a few days, many readers may be experiencing the thrill of it for the first time, and the stress and anxiety that stem from these few weeks can hit out of the blue. 

However, it’s normal and okay to feel overwhelmed during this time. It’s important to make sure to prioritize yourself over any academic responsibilities; at the end of the day, health is what matters. With that in mind, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as the midterm season hits us. 

1. Try not to mess with your routines: While it might be tempting to pull that all-nighter the day before your big exam in hopes of cramming as many practice questions as possible, doing this will probably affect your grades more negatively than positively. If you have to sacrifice your sleep, try to budget your time so that it doesn’t land on the day before your exam, as you likely won’t retain much of the information you cram anyway.
2. Change up your study space: Space dictates mentality a lot of the time, and that applies to study spaces as much as anything else. It might be appealing and comfortable to stay in your room and attempt a grind, but working in an environment separate from home can often make a difference in how you retain information. UBC has numerous study  spaces, with my personal favourite being the 5th floor of Iona (the view from that building is definitely worth the walk). Change it up by day and you’ll notice a change in how you’re feeling during exam season.
3. Try new study methods: It might be scary to try video methods if you’ve been a long-time fan of Quizlet games, but sticking to the same habits can get repetitive and can make studying incredibly monotonous. Try a method that you might be apprehensive about and see what works for you; chances are, some aspects of different methods will really resonate with your learning style, and will become something you ingrain into your future study habits
4. Make a list: Preparing really is rewarding, both in the short run and in the long run. When it comes to exams, the number of tasks someone has to complete can often be overwhelming. Listing tasks categorically, perhaps sorting by class, the weight of the assignment, and the due date, can help you focus on what you need to do at what point. Plus, you’ll feel satisfied crossing things off your lists as you see yourself progress. 

With stressful things piling up soon, make sure to take a breather and plan out how you want to strategize your days. You’re capable of so much. 

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