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5 Self Care Tips for Midterm Season

Lauren Deaton Student Contributor, University of Pittsburgh
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pitt chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Midterm season is upon us and it can feel very overwhelming, but there are things you can do to make it at least a little more manageable! Here are five awesome self-care tips for midterm season.

Study in Chunks!

It can be so incredibly tempting to cram for a test, it feels like it saves time and allows you to focus on other things. But the truth is, cramming isn’t helpful. Studying in chunks allows your brain to absorb more information and take more breaks. It’s going to mean your studying is spread over a larger period of time, but it also means better info retention and more success on your exams. 

Move Your Body!

As Elle Woods says, “Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy.” Moving your body is a great way to relieve stress and simply help you feel so much better. To make it as enjoyable as possible, do some kind of exercise that makes you happy, whether it’s going on a hot girl walk or hitting the gym, it’s whatever you make of it!

Eat all your meals!

Your body needs fuel to function! Skipping meals in the hope of getting extra studying in will just leave you feeling more tired and less able to focus. Eating balanced meals is key, make sure you eat some fruits & veggies but also find the space to treat yourself too. You deserve it!

Find a Quiet Moment!

I know in the midst of midterm season it can be hard to find any moment to relax but taking a moment to simply breathe is more than worth it. This moment can be multiple hours long or just a few minutes, just take a break from all the work you’re doing and focus your attention on something you love. Whether it be your favorite movie, a book you’re reading or a call to a friend, it will all help you feel better, I promise.

Get Your Sleep!

Sleep is really really (one more time for emphasis…really) important. Getting the right amount of sleep allows you to more easily focus, retain information, and just generally feel better. When you prioritize your sleep, it makes you much more productive. 

I hope these tips were helpful and gave you a little encouragement during the midterm blues. You got this, and no matter what you’re amazing!

Lauren Deaton is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, she is the former Chapter Chair and is currently a writer. She most frequently writes about entertainment topics– including music recommendations, topics of representation, and anticipated movie lists.
Lauren is double majoring in English Literature and Media and Professional Communications with a focus on Corporate and Community Relations. She is also pursuing a Film and Media Studies minor and Public and Professional Writing and Children's Literature Certificates and is a member of the Honors College. She is a current undergraduate fellow at the Pitt Humanities Center, doing research around women in comics and will be continuing a research position with the Language and Literacy Division at Pitt throughout her senior year. In the future, she hopes to become a literature professor. She is also a writer for Studio 412 a creative outlet on Pitt’s campus and is a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority.
Lauren loves her dog, her friends, her family, and everything reading and coming of age related.