Ah, autumn. The air is cool, the leaves are turning, pumpkins are now appropriate decor, and midterm season is in full swing.
The word “midterm” is kind of a misnomer, as it suggests that you will take one exam in the middle of the semester. As I and many others have discovered, what it actually means is that you will take a whole mess of exams scattered somewhere in between the first day of class and finals week.
It’s easy to get caught up in anxiety and endless worry during this stressful time of year, so I’ve found some science-approved methods for calming the heck down.
- Take a walk. A combination of physical activity, fresh air, sunshine, and nature can do a lot more than you think. Taking a break from being holed up in your room studying by being holed up in your room watching Netflix isn’t exactly a huge step up. Removing yourself geographically from the site of your stress can allow you to refocus, and you’ll likely return to your studies feeling less overwhelmed and better equipped to get stuff done.
- Exercise, dang it. If walks aren’t your thing, find another way to get moving. Do yoga, dance around in your room (as an added bonus, music also relieves stress), or hit the gym if that’s more your style. Whatever form it takes, exercise will take your mind off the source of your stress and reinvigorate you.
- Treat yo self. Sometimes, you just need a quick fix to get rid of anxiety now. A measured treat can give you an instant sensation of relief, as long as you don’t overdo it. Have a piece of your favorite candy, watch an episode of your favorite TV show, do some (controlled) retail therapy. The key to this tip is that it must be done in moderation. Eating an entire bag of Cheetos or binging an entire season of Parks and Rec will probably only make you feel worse after you’re done, but allowing yourself to take a short break for something you really love can quickly boost your mood.
- Sleep more. While stress can decrease the quality of your sleep, it’s also true that not getting enough sleep will increase your stress levels. To end this cycle, make sure you take sleep seriously. Pulling an all-nighter is probably not the best way to be productive, because your work will be subpar and it’ll take you much longer to do. Instead, recognize that the most efficient thing to do is to hit the hay. You will be rested enough to tackle the day, and your problems often seem much less daunting in the morning.
- Write stuff. There are several ways that simply writing things down can make you feel better. Journaling your feelings can help you put ominous, abstract thoughts into words and reduce their anxiety-producing effects. While the thoughts in your head may seem like a tangled mess of overwhelming tasks and worries, forcing yourself to slow down and think through your dilemmas by writing them down can help you come up with a plan of attack. Also, writing out a to-do list helps you clearly visualize what needs to be done and eliminates the fear that you’re forgetting something really important as you try to juggle all your tasks in your head. The satisfaction of crossing things off can also ameliorate stress.
- Clean up. If you find yourself buried in a stack of papers and surrounded by open textbooks, take a break to organize your room. Clearing up visual clutter can also help de-clutter your mind. If you’re working in the midst of chaos, everything feels chaotic. Taking 15 minutes to put things back in their proper place will help you feel more controlled mentally as well.
- Just cry already. I am a huge advocate for having a good cry every once in a while. Having such a visceral release of emotions that have built up can be incredibly cathartic, and once your body has physically expelled all that anxiety, the internal pressure you felt has all but dissipated. If you are not a natural crier in response to stress like myself, try watching a sad movie (but not too sad, you don’t want to be too much of an emotional wreck. Think "The Notebook" not "Marley and Me") or listening to a sad song. I can almost guarantee that you’ll feel much better.
I also want to add that if any of these remedies (or any of the hundreds of other stress reducing tips on the internet) don’t seem to be working for you and you feel really overwhelmed, there’s nothing wrong with seeing a counselor. Most colleges have mental health professionals that you can utilize for free, and talking to someone who has the training to help could be the right solution. Feeling like you can’t manage your stress does not mean you’re not trying hard enough or that there’s something wrong with you. A trained therapist can likely give you the tools you need to develop a stress-busting method that will work for you.
College can be a stressful place, and during midterm season it’s easy to let anxiety get the best of you. Don’t prioritize studying over maintaining your sanity. Take some time to relax, and you’ll feel much better.
