It’s 8:50 p.m., the Westport Library is making the tenth announcement in the hour that the library will be closing at 9. The floor around my chair is littered with flashcards I have given up on and empty Red Bull cans.
The first two days of midterm exams have come and gone and it seems as though my ability to retain information is exponentially decreasing. As I sip my second cup of coffee and try and decide which of the two tests I have tomorrow is more cram-worthy, I remind myself that I’ve only got two more days to live through.
Something that I frequently overlook is the mini-vacation that comes after the wild week of exams finally comes to a close. After a week of high-speed studying, there’s nothing better than doing everything possible to avoid use of my brain.
So if you’re like me and you’re finding it hard to go on in this time of trouble here are a few suggestions:
Keep a glass-half-full attitude. Yes you’ve only gotten through half of the week but that also means you’ve only got half left to go. Half a week is more than doable when you think about it.
According to mayoclininc.org positive thinking has many, scientifically-proven health benefits such as lower levels of distress. It has been proven that “When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you’re better able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way.”
Stay awake. Whether it be jumping jacks, a nice skim latte from Starbucks, or, if you’re like me, unreasonable amounts of energy drinks, staying energized helps you stay focused and productive. Getting up and walking around when you’re finding it hard to keep your eyes open is a game changer for maintaining focus.
Write things out. It may seem silly, but according to a study conducted by Princeton and UCLA students, “Students who write out their notes by hand actually learn more than those to type their notes on laptops.” So close that Quizlet and break out the old-fashioned index cards. It will be worth it.
Finally, keep things in perspective. Midterms are only 10% of the final grade and there are still two quarters left to buckle down and get the grades you want. It will all be okay.
