Ten Ways to Deal With Midterm Stress – Realistically!

As we all know, midterm season has begun. Some of us may have already taken a few of them, and some of us might have some upcoming exams. Regardless, a lot of us are feeling rundown and burnt out.

Because of the hustle and bustle of balancing university, work, and our social lives, down time might seem like a scarce thing.

Here are some useful tips to help decompress, for those of us with busy lives:

1. Take breaks when studying. Whether you take a ten minute break or a sixty minute break, you deserve to have some time away from your work and let your brain unwind.
2. Go outside and get some fresh air! Go for a walk and listen to your favourite playlist of music, go down to the beach during a break between classes and have lunch with a friend. Whatever you decide to do, take advantage of the local nature!
   

   Beautiful Nature on Campus

3. Take some time to watch one of your favourite TV shows or a movie! Since it’s getting kind of chilly out there, it’s always nice to cozy up in a blanket and take a break from life!
4. Go off campus with some friends and explore a new area in Victoria! Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favourite place! Regardless, it’s beneficial to step away from campus.
5. Distract your mind by trying something new! Shifting your focus to something other than schoolwork is something each of us can benefit from. You might even find your new favourite hobby!
6. Try changing up your routine. Instead of doing the same exact thing every single day of the week, maybe you’ll sit somewhere different to eat your lunch or even change up your usual travel route! A change of routine is sure to refresh your brain.
7. Clean up your living space. I always find that I’m somehow more productive when my house is neat and tidy. A clean room equals a clean mind!
   
   

   Self Care

8. Practice mindfulness through meditation. Listen to a mindfulness podcast on your bus ride or before you go to bed. This can help you think about all the great things you have in your life instead of focusing on the stress of school!
9. This might sound cheesy, but set up a phone call with your parents! It’s crazy how beneficial it can be to talk to you mom or dad when you are feeling quite overwhelmed by life in general! Besides, I’m sure they miss you just as much as you miss them!
10. Last – but definitely not least – is to practice self care, whatever that might mean for you. If that means taking a relaxing bath, taking a nap, reading a book, or even eating your favourite foods! It’s always best to take care of your own needs first.

Some of these tips will work for some of you – but not for others. Take what you think might help, and use it!

Remember to take time for yourself, you deserve rest for the hard work you have been doing these past couple of months!