Books stack like an intricate Jenga puzzle on your desk. Teachers bombard you with endless lists of study materials. You find yourself awake well into the wee hours of the night, alarm clocks marking your unhealthy lack of sleep with a new number each minute. Most of all, your confidence wanes like the moon in the sky, stunting your testing abilities.

When these factors come into play, students across America know what time of the year it is. In addition to Christmas, the month of December means midterm time. With the amount of pressure teachers put on their students to score high, midterm grades seem to decide only the rest of your life.

By the time you all read this article, your midterms will all be completed, with only your teachers to decide your fate. Don't see this article as a preparation for the exams; see it as a sort of motivational work!

First of all, congratulations! In my opinion, midterms week is always the most stressful one. It shows whether you've actually learned something this year, whether you can handle the task of taking so many tests in one week, and, for seniors, whether you have something to offer to colleges you wish to attend in the future. Knowing that you at least completed your midterms should give you some sort of relief. See it as a stepping stone to what you will accomplish in the future.

Second, there will always be many students in America who aren't satisfied with their grades. Whether it's a few points from a 90, a few points from an 80, or at the very bottom of the grade scale, many hearts tend to break during this time of the year.

If you are one of those in the dumps over their grades, remember to look at the positives. Plus, if your midterms grades weren't that hot this semester, there are approximately six more months to redeem yourself. Take the midterms as a time to reflect on what to improve on so that your final scores are the best they'll ever be!

Rather than focusing on what you could have done, or not done, be sure to love yourself during this post-finals period. A standardized test is only a snapshot of what you have to offer this vast world. So, get out there, relax your mind, and enjoy your winter break!