It’s that time of year again – it’s midterm season. As midterms, assignments, and essays begin to pile up in all your classes, it can be easy to forget to take time for yourself which could result in a lot of stress. A large amount of accumulated stress can take a huge toll on your mental well-being which is why it is important to prioritize self-care and look after your mental health because your mental health is not something to take lightly. Here are three ways to de-stress before your midterm:
-
Pace Yourself When You Study
When a midterm is approaching, it may seem like a good idea to study everything at the last minute – you may have other assignments or events that also need your attention. Whatever the case, it is never a good idea to leave anything to the last minute. Cramming the day before your exam rarely results in good grades because your brain cannot fully absorb all the course material in a matter of hours. On the other hand, you also do not want to review your material too early and forget everything by the time of your midterm. Alternatively, when the date of the test is known, set a schedule for yourself and allocate time every day to study for the course. The most effective way to learn is to study for a certain period of time and then take a break. For example, you would study for one hour and then take a break for thirty minutes. As the day of the test nears, spend more time on the parts of the course that confuse you and never be afraid to ask for help. The method of pacing yourself allows you to take your time while you study while also keeping your mind at ease.
2. Meditate
Meditation can be a great way to relieve your nerves and clear your mind. You do not need to be a professional in order to mediate. All you have to do is close your eyes and take deep breaths while you think about things that make you happy such as your friends, your favourite movie, your family, or your pet. You can even opt to think about nothing at all! When you begin to feel that anxiety kick in, turn on some calming music, close your eyes, breathe in and breathe out. My favourite source for calming music is from a YouTube channel known as Soothing Relaxation. They have a wide range of music accompanied by a montage of beautiful scenery meant for, well, relaxation. A quick meditation can help you feel more refreshed, at ease, and more confident.
3. Take Advantage of UofT’s Mental Health Resources
Now, sometimes the stress and frustration of studying can take a huge toll on your mental health. When you come across minor problems such as being unable to solve that calculus problem, thoughts such as not being good enough to pass the course or fear of being in the wrong career path may begin to form. Believe me, I have been there but it is important to remember to never become discouraged over a minor issue that can be resolved. These types of situations can be a great opportunity to take advantage of the mental health resources available at the University of Toronto such as Shift Collab, PsychoVilli, and Good2Talk which is a 24/7 emergency counselling service for students. The number for Good2Talk is: 1-866-925-5454. A midterm is something that it is temporary – it will come and then it will be over. But, your mental health is more permanent. Always prioritize your health and well-being; you should never feel selfish for doing so.
Once your midterm is over, remember to breathe. You have done your best and now the worst of it is over. Now, you can put your notes away, reward yourself with a treat such as buying yourself desert or something nice, or you can hang out with your friends and family. However, sometimes there is still a little bit of underlying tension about how you performed on the test. In this case, it is important that you believe in yourself. You need to trust that you did your best and whatever the results may be will reflect just that. You worked hard and you were well prepared, so it is important that you stay positive and have faith that you have done well. On that note, I wish everyone the best of luck on their midterms and assignments!