As the semester reaches dreaded midterm season, many of us are starting to feel the pressure of exams and projects.
Stress is something that impacts both physical and mental health, and too much stress can lead to chronic health problems later on in life.
On the physical health side, stress can cause:
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
- Sleep problems
On the mental health side, stress can cause:
- Increased anxiety
- A lack of motivation
- Memory problems
- Restlessness
- General sadness or depression
To help combat the ever-present, looming threat of stress this midterm season, here are a few things to remember, to help you combat stress:
1. Be Prepared
Have you ever been late because you were desperately trying to find your keys? Sometimes we get caught up in life and forget to prepare for the future, and exams are no exception. Cramming the night before the exam is a one-way ticket to high levels of stress that may impact your overall performance on the exam the following day. Preparing and studying before exams not only helps with overall stress, but also helps you feel confident while taking those exams.
Even if you ended up cramming for an exam (we all do at some point!), now is the time to start thinking of how to prepare for the next one.
2. Take Breaks
Meditation is a great way to rebalance and re-center yourself after a long day. Deep breathing techniques and yoga are some of the many ways that you can manage your stress!
If meditation is not your thing, remember to enjoy your hobbies, catch up with friends, or even just watch a couple of funny YouTube videos. Taking breaks, even small ones, can help mitigate stress and burnout later in the semester.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Nothing feels worse than waking up in the morning exhausted and needing to go to classes. And let’s be honest, how many of us have paid full attention in class after getting a bad night’s rest?
While it may be tempting to stay up just a little longer to finish “one more game” or “one more episode” having a regular sleep schedule that stays consistent and leaves you with enough sleep is critical in managing stress.
4. Ask for help
Remember that there are plenty of resources available on campus that are made and designed to assist in your learning!
Tutoring is available for a multitude of classes that can be found here or here
Tutoring for various math classes can also be found here
Office Hours are a great opportunity to meet with your professor to go over the specific topics that you still might be struggling with or to further solidify your understanding of a subject!
Study groups that are made between peers can also be a great resource for practicing and upkeeping regular studying habits.
