But I want to go out!
As much as it hurts to watch your friends post their Friday night adventures while you’re buried under a mountain of notes and Quizlet sets, you have to accept that you are working toward your degree and find motivation within yourself. Right now? It’s time to grind. The reality is that one missed party probably isn’t why you are currently single and won’t matter in a month; what will matter is your midterm grade. Whenever FOMO creeps in, I remind myself there will always be another party, another girls’ night, another Thursday bar crawl. There won’t always be another chance to ace the exam you have spent half the semester listening to a lecture from a freakishly old and annoying professor.
One thing that has genuinely helped me survive midterm season is my “try not to cry” playlist. This playlist needs songs about struggle, perseverance and, most importantly, women’s empowerment. That is the energy we need. Whether it’s confidence-boosting pop or show tunes, everything counts. Listen to this playlist on the way to the midterm, while studying for it or when you feel the going-out FOMO. You are studying for a reason: you want a degree, so get it and get it your hardest.
Sometimes you have to remind yourself of the bigger picture. Yes, I just spent $80 on a manicure and now I’m questioning every financial decision I’ve ever made. But one day, after graduation, I hope to be working a job where that manicure feels a lot less dramatic. Every exam, every paper and every all-nighter is getting me one step closer to the career I’ve always dreamt of. Future me will thank current me for choosing the library over the function, even if current me is annoyed about it.
That doesn’t mean we should completely neglect ourselves, though. Midterms are stressful enough without running on caffeine, dry shampoo and pure anxiety. Self-care doesn’t have to be some elaborate spa day. Sometimes it’s putting on a face mask while reviewing flashcards. Sometimes it’s buying the nice-smelling soap instead of the Walgreens one because it brings a little bit of joy to your day. And sometimes it’s simply stepping away from your laptop for 30 minutes so your brain can breathe, maybe even do some Wattpad reading.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that “me time” isn’t something you earn after you finish all your work. If you’re waiting for your to-do list to magically disappear before taking a break, you’ll be waiting forever. Even during the busiest weeks, set aside a little time each day for yourself. Whether that’s coloring, going on a walk, grabbing coffee with a friend, watching an episode of your comfort show or treating yourself to a Target run. Whatever fills your cup, please make room for it.
At the end of the day, midterms are temporary. The stress, sleepless nights, FOMO and overwhelming workload will eventually pass. What will stay with you are the habits, resilience and confidence you build while getting through them. So put on your motivation playlist, open your laptop, apply that face mask and get it done. Fight for your future.