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Conn Coll | Life > Academics

Our Midterm Survival Tips

Allison Ziegler Student Contributor, Connecticut College
Caroline Snyder Student Contributor, Connecticut College
Shannon Brock Student Contributor, Connecticut College
Tessa Stayton Student Contributor, Connecticut College
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Conn Coll chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

It’s midterms season at Connecticut College: read some of the tips our writers suggest for getting through it!

My biggest tip would be to be kind to yourself. It’s so easy to be hard on yourself when you have a long to-do list and aren’t as productive as you’d like. Remind yourself that it’s okay to take breaks, and focus on the work you DID get done, rather than the stuff you didn’t. Also, make sure to prioritize self care. You’re going to slay your midterms!

  • Allie Ziegler ‘27

I have learned this one through a LOT of trial, error, and unplanned library naps because I worked myself way too hard– schedule in breaks! Put them on your calendar if you need to, or set a timer– I often use the “focus timer” feature on the self care app I use, as I have a tendency to either get extremely scattered and distracted or lock in to something so hard I end up with 15 pages of a 6 page paper and nothing for any other class. Trust me, as someone with diagnosed ADHD, I know how hard it can be to manage time and foster a healthy balance between working and caring for yourself, but even five minutes of a breathing exercise or mindless mobile game can work wonders!

  • Caroline Snyder, ‘26

Take things one step at a time! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a massive to-do list, but you will check everything off eventually! Don’t be hard on yourself if you take a break, they are needed for brains to work efficiently and at their best! View breaks as a tool that will help you study instead of viewing them as a result of laziness. Make sure you don’t let the stress of midterms consume your entire day because that won’t help you. Study for a few hours, then take a break to refresh, and repeat. You’re strong and you’ve got this!

  • Shannon Brock, ‘28

My biggest midterm survival tip would definitely be to not neglect your physical health! Pulling all nighters, skipping meals, and not drinking enough water can be seen as inevitable consequences of exams season, and it’s all too easy to glamorize those stressed-college-student cliches. Trust me, though, there’s nothing impressive about not taking care of yourself. Especially while studying for exams, the energy you get from sleeping and eating enough is absolutely crucial to success! 

  • Tessa Stayton, ‘25 
Allison Ziegler

Conn Coll '27

Allie (she/her) is a junior at Connecticut College studying Theater and Educational Studies. She is currently the Social Media Manager of Conn Coll's Her Campus Chapter, as well as the Business Manager for Wig & Candle, Conn's student-run theater club. She also works at the Office of Admission as an Admission Ambassador. In her free time, she loves reading, crocheting, listening to music, and hanging out with friends!
Caroline Snyder

Conn Coll '26

Hi! I'm Caroline-- Her Campus Conn Coll's current president! I'm a junior English and Environmental Studies double major with a passion for writing! In addition to working with Her Campus, I am the co-captain of our college's Equestrian Team and run my own art business! I also love reading, working out, dinosaurs, and being outdoors!
Shannon Brock

Conn Coll '28

Shannon is a sophomore at Connecticut College, majoring in Human Development and English and minoring in Psychology. She has loved writing since she was eight years old and wrote a story about a friendship between a girl and a magic dolphin! She loves writing about overlooked topics in the subjects of mental health and relationships. Her utmost hope is for her writing to be a light for someone, whether it drives them to develop a mantra that helps them cope with anxiety or simply provides them with assurance that they're not alone in a feeling.
In addition to writing articles for Her Campus, she loves singing and is in Conn's choir, she's a Therapeutic Recreation Camp Counselor in the summer, and she can often be found with her nose in a poetry book or romance novel!
Tessa Stayton

Conn Coll '25

Hi! My name is Tessa, and I'm currently the senior editor for Connecticut College's chapter of Her Campus! Here at Conn, I'm double majoring in English and Classics, and I also work as an RA. I'm very passionate about literature, so be on the lookout for future book reviews and recommendations! :)