In what feels like no time at all, midterms are back on our radars, and we’re holed up in our dorms or the library for hours at a time, cramming every bit of information from the past six weeks. The minute midterms are brought up, my stress levels spike — and if we’re being honest, it’s just because of their special name. It is not a special exam. Despite this, it doesn’t eliminate any stress someone might feel over it. Every student here has their own way of dealing with stress, whether that’s not doing anything and just sitting in the stress (guilty) or doing everything in their power to remain as stress-free as possible.
When asking around for students’ de-stressing tips, I saw more variations of the word “doomscrolling” than I think I ever have. So, I suppose if you were to tell a fellow student you were feeling stressed, they would tell you to open up TikTok or Instagram and let it numb your mind. This method might be a little too conflicting, as it typically just leads to you hearing some brain-rotting audio over and over again during the exam in your mind instead of any relevant information.
Along a similar vein are the students who said “get extra sleep,” “ignore them and lie in bed all day,” “watch movies,” and “watch a lot of TV.” These are the most helpful bits of advice—in moderation—making sure you still allow yourself to rest.
Similar to doomscrolling, I got many responses along the lines of “exercising” and “going for walks.” One student says they “like to run on the pier” with a memorable follow-up of “can’t find my sanity or my waist.” Whether it is just a simple walk or run, or going to the gym for a workout, or even throwing a frisbee on Schaefer Lawn, being active is a perfect way to make your stress feel miles away. Deviating from the typical answers, one student bakes, which “helps calm the nerves,” and she finds the time for it when she can.
Maybe none of these are appealing to you at all, and maybe even make you feel more stressed. A student says they “make sure to have time to [themselves] to do the little things that bring [them] peace of mind like reading.” If you’re not into doomscrolling or napping or exercising, finding anything you might like to do that doesn’t fill you with dread is the quickest de-stressor. The last tip from fellow students is to surround yourself with people. One student likes to “talk to friends,” and another likes to “call her mom”.
At the end of the day, exams will come whether we feel ready for them or not, and the most you can do is surround yourself with people you love doing things you love, and just remind yourself that it is only an exam.
