Midterm season is the absolute worst. The chill of autumn is setting in as the vestiges of summer fade away; the shimmer of a new school year is dulling; and you begin to have tests in classes whose names you don’t even remember yet. But there are so many ways to ensure that the stress of the tests doesn’t drown you. Keep these tips in mind:
1. Check out a yoga class
I swear, yoga is a godsend. For a long time, my inflexibility and my left-brain focus kept me from delving into yoga. I rolled my eyes at the instructor’s direction to connect to the earth’s inner spirit, and cried with pain at the Pigeon pose (but tbh I still cry, that move is inhumane).
Since this summer, though, I’m a total convert. Doing even 30 minutes of yoga both relaxes and invigorates you and it gets you moving without even feeling like exercise. And if something can fool me into burning calories, sign me up.
The MAC and Hemenway gyms offer some awesome morning and afternoon classes throughout the week, and The Barre Movement and O2 Yoga offer great alternatives in the Square. And, if you’re like me and don’t feel like leaving your room when it drops below 60 degrees, check out Yoga With Adriene, an awesome, free YouTube channel, for some fab videos.
2. Treat yourself to comfort food
If you’re doing all that yoga (and even if you’re not, honestly), you deserve to treat yourself. Midterms are freaking stressful, and sometimes you just need a cup of hot chocolate or a bag of Doritos or a sleeve of Oreo’s to remind yourself that joy is left in the world.
I think some of the best money I’ve ever spent has been at CVS right before a major study sesh. Some of my worst money ever spent has been at the Tasty Burger right across the street, but let’s not focus on that.
3. Find a new study spot
I know this is crazy, but I actually really like Lamont. The chairs are so comfy, and if you can snag a window seat, you can spend some time checking out the fall foliage. But I mean, a girl’s gotta change it up every once in a while. So, explore Harvard’s campus and the Square to find a new space to get to work. Plus, there’s no better way to procrastinate than by walking outside on an adventure during the last “warm” days of the year!
Me in the sun
4. Stay healthy
This is so important—STAY HEALTHY. Don’t sacrifice your physical or mental well-being for a test that is really insignificant in the grand scheme of your life. Say yes to grabbing coffee with a friend. Say yes to going to sleep before 10:00 PM. Read a book, watch an episode of a show, do something that makes you happy. Midterms suck, dude, which just means you need to make sure to counter the stress and feelings of inadequacy with reminders that you are an amazing, capable human with abilities and worth beyond a score on a test. Please, say yes to taking care of yourself.
5. Bookmark a live feed
This is absolutely the least cliché of the tips, which makes it my personal favorite. Whenever I’m studying for a test and feel myself getting lost in and overwhelmed by the material and the prospects of failing out of Harvard, never getting a job, living in my bedroom-turned-gym in my parent’s house for the rest of my life—oh my god, I can’t breathe even writing it.
That’s why whenever I feel the weight of my future threatening to press me to the ground, I take a deep breath, go to my “Live Feeds” bookmark folder, and open up my favorite 24-hour video feeds. Some days, a few minutes watching the elephants frolicking at San Diego Wild Animal Park does the trick. Other times, I allow the waves lapping at the sand and pier at Huntington Beach, California to mesmerize me (this is usually my go-to in the winter). Basically, give yourself a virtual vacation, a visual happy-place, and escape from the stress of Harvard through the wonderful world of technology.
Don’t let midterms season stress you out too much. There’s always Finals Week for that.
Seriously, though. Cut yourself some slack. Believe in your ability. And kick that midterm’s ass.