Does anyone genuinely and realistically know how to deal with midterms? Even the connotation of the word “midterm” makes our already-existent stress levels skyrocket from somewhat high to super volatile. As a junior, I can say I’m somewhat, kind of, almost there at mastering the tips of managing midterm stress. More confidently, I can assure you that these tips aren’t just limited to the week of midterms- use them at any point of the year to find your point of mental clarity. And if that still isn’t working, there’s ALWAYS Netflix. And Amazon. And Hulu Plus.
Jokes. Don’t do that. Or else you’d be violating the first point: actually completing your work before it attacks you with its looming deadline is a life-changing magic trick. Procrastination is an evil that’s just as bad as running out of the house on 1% battery or realizing that your test was at 8 AM, not 8 PM.
No matter how formidable first-thing-on-the-to-do-list work seems, grab a pen, your laptop, and your books, then pull a Nike and JUST DO IT. If your brain doesn’t have time to delay studying, you won’t. People say that about working out too- wake up and run before your mind stops you (not that this affects me- this comparison is the closest thing I’ve had to exercise in weeks). Anyway, you’ll get so much more done in such a short span of time- think about all the hours that pass by as you find arbitrary errands to fill your day before hitting the library.
If you must find some sort of task to do beforehand, I highly (and only) suggest brewing a cup of tea. It takes no more than 4 minutes- and half of that is taken care of by either your microwave or hot water heater. Tea is statistically proven to relax you-I’m not sure of these studies, but I know they exist, and if you need some scientific proof- my name is Samantha Levine. It won’t make you jittery like coffee would, but you’ll still have a boost of caffeine. Also doesn’t hurt to drink something that tastes like a delicious pomegranate-mango blend.
Just make sure that if you’re drinking decaf if it’s past 8. I’m going to sound like your parent when I say this, but going to bed early is SO important. I know, you’re probably just going to rebut me and say that’s when you’re most productive. I assure you: going to bed earlier (as in midnight or before) will help you retain information, not hate your life the next day, and be more likely to wake up earlier in the AM. When you wake up earlier, you’ll instead use this time to do that work you were originally planning to do at 3 AM. Additionally, in the AM, your phone isn’t buzzing, you feel refreshed, and you can tackle everything you have to do.
I can guarantee that the only way I know that all these methods are valid are because I’m actually trying them and utilizing them. “Sophomore” literally means “wise fool”. Now that I’m a junior, I have to but all these tips to good use, right?