Yes, it’s that time of year. What time? Midterms. Depending on when your midterms are, you are either buried in sheets to study or taking midterms. It’s a stressful time and I am sure all you want to do is sleep. Believe me, I get it. I’m going through the same thing.
While I wish midterms didn’t exist, there are ways to cope with the anxiety about them. I have a lot of test anxiety. The exact definition of test anxiety is: “...a psychological condition in which people experience extreme distress and anxiety in testing situations.” I don’t think I have that per say, but I do get stressed because I care about doing well in school.
I know that you and I can get through this stressful time. Just to help, here are ten ways to help you survive midterms:
1. Meditate. Meditation is such a great way to calm down and relax.
You need to take a break from studying - you’re not a robot! Allow yourself time to be with your thoughts. Even if you don’t like the idea of meditating per say, just take a few minutes to breathe. Take advice from a wonderful song: “Breathe” by Anna Nalick.
2. Realize that midterms do not define your whole school year.
Midterms are tests that determine what you know in the middle of the school year. This is not finals people. Although, no test defines you or your school year. There is so much more than academics that define who you are and what interests you. If you get a bad grade even though you tried your hardest, don’t sweat it.
3. Drink coffee or tea!
This tip is huge for me. I am a big coffee drinker. For many years, I resisted. I saw how addicted my parents and friends were to coffee, so I felt that I did not want the caffeine addiction. But then came high school and that ship sailed fast into the horizon. I cannot survive midterms without coffee. Actually, I cannot survive any day without coffee. If you are not a coffee drinker, I am going to withhold my judgment and say that you can drink tea, or whatever keeps you awake.
4. Talk about your anxiety with friends and/or family.
I used to be a girl who held all her feelings inside and did not want to share what I was going through. I didn’t think that I was worth it. But it turns out I am worth it, and so are you. If you can have an honest conversation with friends, family, or yourself about your feelings, including being stressed about midterms, I can guarantee that you will feel ten times better. They are here to help you.
5. Make a study guide for each midterm.
Guys, it’s time to get real. Remember that time in high school when teachers gave you study guides for tests? Some of them you had to fill out and some were already filled out by that teacher who suddenly became your favorite teacher ever for an hour? And then you moved on to better things and found a new favorite teacher? Yes? Good. Now, I want you to swipe that memory like a debit card out of your brain because this is college. Professors do not give you study guides; you have to create your own. If you don’t, you might not do as well on the midterm. But hey, you make your own life decisions.
6. Get some sleep.
Sleep? What is sleep? Huh? What is this “sleep” you talk of? Yes, I know the struggle. It’s late and you haven’t started that essay that you totally forgot is due the next day. But sleep can really affect your grades. Get some!
7. Go to office hours.
If you are confused about a concept that you know will be on a midterm, what are you waiting for? Go to your professor’s office hours and get some clarification so you can pass and go to graduation!
8. Set aside time for fun!
Fun is important; just as important as work. So enjoy yourself. Get some ice cream with friends at the dining hall, watch the new show on Netflix called Haters Back Off, or do anything else that you find enjoyable. Treat yo’self!
9. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Yes, fun is important. But so is doing well on midterms. Don’t go wild and have so much fun that you are not studying. Think of it this way: when you have finished a task, reward yourself with a fun activity. It sounds like a math problem, but this concept actually applies to you in real life.
10. Drink water and eat healthy as much as you can.
I know, I’m being such a taskmaster. Do this and do that. I also know that there are some times where you need that piece of cake. But try to eat healthy as much as you can. Good food fuels the brain. Also, drink water! That helps you not get sick
