How do human interest staff relieve stress during midterm season?
“To make midterm season as stress-free as possible, I schedule five assignments and study sessions I want to do every day,” Madison Peters, a freshman studying journalism, said. “Then, when my to-do items are done, I allow myself to decompress and take some free time to myself, even if I have other work I need to do for the week. This allows me to feel in control of my schedule and prevents burnout.”
“I think going on short walks while studying is a great way to relieve stress,” Emma Snyder-Lovera, a senior studying media arts production, said. “Cool air helps reset the nervous system and get you back into a calm mindset.”
“I mainly just stick to my routine: gym, class and study,” Mary Kate McNamee, a senior studying English, said. “I make sure to take time for myself at the end of the day, whether that is going for a run or taking a study break with friends. Reminding myself that all I can do is my best, and the world won’t end if I do bad. Staying grounded and keeping calm is key.”
“During midterm season, I think it is important for students to take time for themselves,” Gina Napoli, a junior studying journalism, said. “I block out time to relax and turn off my phone and computer. I will also get a coffee with friends before classes to talk about life and take a break from homework.”
“During midterm season, I try to schedule time for myself to do something nice or spend time alone,” Fiona Petticrew, a sophomore studying journalism, said. “Studying constantly can obviously be draining. So, taking a short walk, taking the time to do my nails or reading a book can make me feel refreshed.”
“I find it important to spend time with my friends, both in Athens and at home,” Caitlyn Vance, a sophomore studying journalism, said. “Whether it’s getting dinner with my roommates or calling friends from home who are also struggling with midterm stress, this always helps me to spend at least an hour taking my mind off the academic stress.”
What advice do human interest staff have for students taking midterms?
“I follow a three-day strategy,” Peters said. “I make or find a Quizlet with all of the material I need to study. Then, I study all three days before the exam. Every day, I study until I get everything right at least once. Following this method, the first day should be my longest study session, where I retain almost everything, and the following two study sessions should progressively get shorter.”
“My advice to people taking midterms is to find a study space where you can really focus,” Snyder-Lovera said. “I find it hard to study at home because there are so many distractions, but the library or a coffee shop with good ambience can help me focus. Your environment is everything when it comes to studying.”
“Put the phone away,” McNamee said. “Turn it off or get it out of sight, you can waste so much time just doomscrolling. Also, don’t compare your scores to someone else’s. You are different people with different goals.”
“I recommend spending time with people you love, no matter if you are studying or not,” Napoli said. “Surrounding yourself with supportive peers makes midterm season seem less daunting. As for study tips, I recommend wearing something comfortable and finding a cozy space to focus.”
“Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and food,” Petticrew said. “It can be easy to forget or neglect your needs when you’re hyper-focused on one task.”
“During midterms, I find it useful to make studying less of a task and more of a plan,” Vance said. “I recommend going to new spots on campus. Don’t just stick to the lobby of your building or the same floor of Vernon R. Alden Library every time you study. Try new places and get a fun drink to make studying less daunting and more productive.”
