It’s that time of year again! The leaves are falling, and our stress levels are rising. The upcoming week is packed with midterms and assignments, but that doesn’t mean you have to get too stressed out. Here are some tips to help you stay calm and positive until Reading Period.
1. Take advantage of office hours. Most professors have them – and for a good reason! Remember that your professors have your best interest in mind and want you to do well on your exams. Usually they list their office hours on the class syllabus and will also meet with you if you set up an appointment via email. Don’t forget that there is no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away!
2. Outline for essay questions. If your midterm is an essay, take the first five minutes of class to create an outline for yourself. This will help you organize your thoughts and develop a solid thesis statement. Everyone has their own method for outlining, so use whatever one works best for you.
3. Form study groups with your classmates. Getting together with other people in your classes and dividing up the work load can be helpful as you won’t have to go over everything by yourself. Plus, everyone brings different ideas and information to the table, so you will get more out of the study session. Just make sure you find people who will pull their weight and not slack off.
4. Take study breaks. Studying for hours on end can often be counterproductive, so indulge yourself every once in a while. Whether it’s catching up with friends, reading the latest Vogue, heading to the Y, or taking a nap, a break can help you relax and take your mind off your upcoming tests.
5. Choose foods that are proven to relieve stress. Oranges and spinach are high in Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps diminish the toxins that build up while you are stressed out. Also, bananas are high in potassium, which aids in the regulation of blood pressure to keep you calm. Other good choices for stress relief are blueberries, tea, nuts, avocados, and fish.
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