I will be graduating in a month after 5 years of my undergrad. Five years of stressing out over a test, over a grade, five years of crying and worrying about my future and the fear of failure. I thought I should be an expert now on how to NOT stress over midterm season, but here we are...still stressing...but not as horrid as before so I guess we got somewhere right?
WAYS TO DE-STRESS DURING MIDTERM SEASON:
1. SAY "NO" MORE
Don't feel guilty for saying no to plans with a friend. It's great to make time for that but when you are stressing out over the amount of work you want to get done, it's best to tackle those papers first so it's not constantly in the back of your mind.
2. POMODORO TECHNIQUE
My absolute favourite way to study is the Pomodoro technique. Set your alarm on your phone for 20-30 minutes and study study study until that timer goes off...you'll be surprised by how fast the time flies. Take a 5-10 minute break and do it all over again.
3. STEP AWAY
Sometimes all you really need is to take a step back from the books and focus on the greater picture. Get outside, clear your head and recognize how small these tests are in the grand scheme of things.
4. GAIN CONTROL
Sometimes it can feel like you have no control over all your assignments and it can get extremely overwhelming. Between studying, try engaging in an activity that helps you feel like you have some control, whatever that might be for you.
Remember, you are incredibly lucky to be getting an education in the first place, enjoy and soak in what you can, but don't let a grade make you feel less of the incredible human being that you are. Straight A's do not mean you're smart...just means you can read a textbook. Be more than your grades.
THIS POST IS IN COLLABORATION WITH SHAY HAYASHI
A lovely wellness blogger with a passion for all things mental wellness, and student success. Check out her blog here :)
@kenzietayla
@shayhayashi