You’re done with midterms. All the stress and work piled onto your back in a span of two weeks is done, and yet you’re still feeling apathetic. I knew I should’ve studied harder instead of going out…What if I did badly on them? I knew I should’ve put C instead of D… We’ve all been there. That guilt and regret; that yearning to rewind back time and study harder, or just magically know the correct answers during the test. But what’s done is done. All you can do now is to move on. And here are a few tactics you can do to beat those after-midterms feelings.
1. Think positive.
It’s a difficult thing to do, but regardless of how well or not-so-well you did, it’s in the past. There will be plenty of other midterms along the way, and this is only just one. Everyone makes mistakes. Enjoy your day! Don’t let those midterms loom over you for the rest of the quarter. And who knows, you might have done well on it – sometimes good news comes unexpectedly.
2. Release those feelings!
Working out is the best way to liberate any lingering feelings you have about your midterms. Go out for a jog around the block, or hit the treadmill and elliptical for an intense workout session; either way it will help you release all emotions about midterms. Even doing some yoga will calm your senses down, or just jamming to some music with roommates. Before you know it, your endorphins will be shooting through the roof, and on top of that, you will have just had a great workout! The grass can be greener on both sides.
3. Bake or cook something.
Go online, or a local bookstore and look for a delicious savory or sweet dish you would like to try. Buy the ingredients, and reserve an afternoon or evening with your roommates, and reveal the inner chef in you! By cooking something exceptionally appetizing with friends, you will not only enjoy a dish that you made by scratch, but you feel accomplished by what you’ve done, replenishing your thoughts and sentiments of pessimism from midterms. Just loosen up, kick off your shoes, and cheat a little. Eat up! You deserve a scrumptious meal after those midterms.
4. Focus on finals; the past is the past!
Don’t let the past drag you down, and focus on finals! It may be early in the game, but mentally preparing yourself for the weeks ahead will aide you succeed better in your classes. Give yourself goals in reading ahead for lectures, or motivating yourself to go to office hours more often; do all that it takes for you to improve yourself, and your study habits. Think about what you can do to progress and develop in your classes.
5. Alas…RELAX!
Once again, there will be plenty of other midterms ahead of you. This is just one midterm in the many that will come ahead. Everyone has their off days. This midterm will not define your future career or life. We’ve all had our slothful feelings of despair and frustration with midterms. We’re college students! Stressing less may help you in your future exams. Just take a breather, pick up those pieces, and relax; they’re just midterms.