So for most of you, you’re either in the process of going through your midterms or they are unfortunately approaching. If you’re in the comm school your “midterm week,” also known as a month-long series of papers and projects, started over a week ago. For me, I get stressed just thinking about the assignments and responsibilities that I have this upcoming week. If you’re anything like me, you have a record of running off of coffee and little to no sleep. You also might give out that “stay clear of me” warning to your friends. At this point in the semester, the anticipation for spring break is just too strong, and the last thing that people want to do is that their midterms. Ladies, I know how it feels. Get us to spring break already!
That being said, here are a few ways you all can stay sane during midterms week. This is the home stretch, people!
1. Sleep.
Now this is my number one necessity. I don’t know about you guys, but for me, those all nighters are always a terrible idea. Yes, maybe they sound productive in the moment, but I always regret it during the middle of the next day when I can barely keep my eyes open in class, take zero notes, and end up being extremely counter-productive. Try to stay focused and make enough time throughout the day to complete your tasks so you don’t have to stay up too late. I always find that I am overall a happier and more productive human when I get enough sleep. I’ll have enough energy during the day and I’m not over-tired and crabby. Oh, and I’m also able to tolerate other people! It’s an amazing thing! Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, go to bed by midnight and wake up between 8 and 9 a.m. It will majorly help you.
2. Exercise.
Even though you barely have time to eat, breathe or anything in between during midterms week, try to pencil in a time for at least a 30 minute workout. Along with sleeping, working out promotes a better mood and helps to de-stress. It’s a way to let off some steam and take out all of that midterm anger. You’ll leave the gym feeling better overall. Your body and mind will thank you.
3. To-do list.
The thing I do most all of the time, and especially during midterms, is make a to-do list. Whether it’s in your planner, on a sticky note, on some funky construction paper, or even on your forehead, making a to-do list helps you visualize everything you need to get done. I think that’s the most important part. If you put everything out on a piece of paper, you can see how much you truly have to do. Sometimes I psyche myself out and convince myself I have a lot more to do than there is in actuality, or that I don’t have enough time to do it. Laying it out allows me to realize that I usually have more time and less to do than I thought. As my good friend DJ Khaled says, organization is the key to success.
4. “Me” time.
Whether it’s 15 minutes or two hours, taking breaks throughout your busy week to do things for yourself — even if that means you’re doing absolutely nothing — is extremely important. I feel like my brain never stops running during midterms week, so I try to take breaks throughout the day. I let myself unwind, reflect, think about everything I’ve been doing, take it all in, and digest my life. It’s okay if the breaks are split up into 10 minutes here and there throughout the day; or maybe an hour chunk is more your style. Regardless, you have to make that time for yourself, midterms week or not. Because quite frankly, you deserve it. Your BRAIN deserves it. So go on a walk, stare at the wall, take a nap, paint your nails, you get the point. Have some “me” time!
So, those are the four things that I am going to try to do during the next two weeks to hopefully keep me sane. What do you say, ladies? Try ‘em out with me?