Just when it seems everyone is settling into the semester and becoming comfortable with new classes and routines, midterm season arrives. It can be incredibly overwhelming to manage the stress of the first big grade in a new class while also juggling personal and professional commitments. Balancing your physical, mental, and emotional health, along with ongoing classwork, can add a new level of pressure to daily routines. To make matters worse, midterm season often spans several weeks, impacting various aspects of our lives.
However, some simple changes or moments of self-care can help reduce stress and get everyone back on track. Although pulling multiple all-nighters in the library and living off of energy drinks and coffee might seem like a solution, there are more effective strategies to manage midterm stress.
1. Get Moving
Cliches are cliches for a reason, often because they are true. The best- and most time-tested way- to relieve stress is through any form of movement or exercise. Scientifically speaking, any type of exercise pumps up the body’s natural endorphins. These feel-good neurotransmitters are hormones your body releases that help reduce stress, reduce pain, and bolster your overall well-being.
Exercise doesn’t have to be overwhelming or intense either. Simply going for a 20-minute walk every day or doing a few yoga stretches in between study chapters can trigger the release of these endorphins and reap the benefits of your mood. One of the best tips for this idea is to do things with friends! Sometimes, it is much easier to get up and get moving with one or a group of friends.
Some of my favorite places to go around Ann Arbor are the Nichols Arboretum “The Arb,” the Law Quad, The Intramural Sports Building, and Soul Cycle Ann Arbor. Each of these places offers spaces to exercise alone or with friends!
2. Get Off Campus
Studying or working on campus at a rigorous school like the University of Michigan can be inherently stressful, especially when surrounded by equally driven and academically focused students. This proximity can create unnecessary competition among peers, which may exacerbate test anxiety.
A great solution to this issue is to leave campus and discover the numerous study spots available nearby. Some of my favorites are the Misfit Society Coffee Club, the basement of Shinola, RoosRoast or M-36 Coffee Roasters.
Often when you are feeling drained and overwhelmed with feelings of comparison and stress, it’s best to remind yourself of life outside of the university and remember the world is bigger than campus.
3. Call A Friend or Family Member (not from school)
It’s important to keep in mind that the limits of campus life are only a small part of the bigger picture. One of my personal favorite ways to get out of the “Michigan Bubble” is to take intentional time to call and check in with my friends and family outside of the university. I often find they have a good perspective of my situation.
More importantly, when doing this, I try my best not to talk about any schoolwork or tests I have coming up. Taking intentional time to disconnect from academic life and focus on all the other wonderful things in your life really helps me stay grounded and gratified.Â
Relying on academic validation to judge your self-worth is an easy habit to fall into, but I’ve found talking to people who remind you of your worth beyond the classroom is the quickest way to lessen stress before a big exam.
4. Do Something, Everyday That Makes You Happy
Whether it be a sweet treat after a long study session, a little online shopping, or simply a face mask and your comfort show, taking a moment to do something (non-academic related) that makes you feel good is an easy habit to mitigate stress. Doing something simple every day is a great way to create a habit of self-care that will not only last through the midterm season but any stressful period in your life. By making time for activities that make you feel good, you cultivate a healthier mindset and enhance your ability to tackle whatever comes your way.
Remember, self-care looks different for everyone. What works for one person might not work for another, so it’s important to find what brings you joy and relaxation. By honoring your unique needs, you’re giving yourself the best chance to thrive academically, emotionally, and personally!