We are officially entering the month of March, which normally is a positive thing because it means spring is arriving, but for college students this mean midterms. Midterms might actually be the worst thing to happen to college students because it’s the same amount of work as a final, but after your done pouring your heart and soul into the midterm exam, paper, or project, you have another 8 weeks of classes to go. Nothing hurts more than midterms week. I just finished mine and to say it was emotionally, spiritually, mentally, financially, and physically draining is an understatement. I somehow managed to pull 3 all nighters in a row, go to work, write 5 different papers, give a presentation, and do other homework that apparently professors still enjoy assigning even though they KNOW it is midterm week and we are dying. Here are some pointers to fully survive midterms week without more than 2 or 3 mental breakdowns, without getting 0 hours of sleep, and without actually dying.
1. Embrace the fact that every decision you make is a good one.
This is mainly because it means you are mentally aware enough to make decisions. The other night my friends and I were so fed up with homework at 2 am we decided to go on a walk in a rainstorm and we eventually bought cigars and brownies from 7/11. This seems counterproductive because we stopped doing homework, but the walk in the rain was the refreshment we needed to stay up until 5 am doing homework. This eventually is what helped us get through midterm week, and even if we end up dropping out of college because it is too much, at least we have some nice memories to take with us.
2. Become addicted to coffee.
I hate the stereotype of “omg every college student lives off of coffee and ramen” because it is annoying, but it is kind of true. At this point I don’t even get a buzz off of the caffeine anymore because I drink coffee so much, I honestly just need it to function and stay alive. Also, you realize who your true friends are by who is willing to make you coffee on their Keurig at 3 am because you accidentally broke your coffee pot, and by who you are willing to give your last ramen packet to. Seriously though, you won’t survive midterm week without pulling all nighters, and you can’t get through an all nighter without coffee so get yourself addicted.
3. Gather up as many people as possible to do homework with so you can all force each other to write and finish your midterm assignments.
This is what occurred last night with the people in my dorm. Twelve us got together to work on midterm projects, which resulted in multiple fights with people who weren't working, and 3 different heated debates on religion, gay marriage, and abortion. Midterms brings out the worst in everybody I won’t lie.
For the last pointer, and this is the most important one,
4. NAP.
Nap as much as possible, whenever you can, and however long you can. During midterms week you will be pulling multiple all nighters, so unless you want to die due to sleep deprivation you need to nap whenever you can. If you have to skip an unnecessary class that doesn't do participation points to nap, do it. Napping is vital and is the only thing that is going to get you through that midterm paper that for some reason needs at least 7 sources, which is completely unnecessary why are professors doing this to us.
To those who have midterms coming up: good luck. It is painful, you will spend more hours crying than sleeping, and you'll heavily consider dropping out. Just chug some coffee, force your friends to threaten you if you don't do your homework, and if you end up missing a quiz or turning in a paper late, that's okay! At least you tried, and that's what really matters. Good luck!
