We are officially at Week 7 of the semester, which means midterms are at a peak! Midterm season can be an incredibly stressful period, so it’s important to find ways to relax and give your brain a break. Here are four ways to de-stress while in the midst of midterms:
- Take a short break
- With exams, classes, and extracurriculars going on, it can be hard to remember to breathe and relax! Watching a short TV show, listening to some music or just laying on your bed will give your brain a much deserved break. This can also help you to focus later on as you have given your body a chance to refresh.
- Drink water and treat yourself to some good food
- If you are sleeping less from stress or studying, it’s even more important to drink water and eat some fulfilling meals. Whether you are making dinner at home (which is another good way to take a break!) or buying food from a USC cafe, the sustenance from a complete meal will be much more satisfying than snacking throughout the day.
- Study with friends
- During midterms, I love to make study groups with the people in my classes or have a dedicated productive time with my friends to get work done. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about the material you are studying while getting some social time in!
- Go outside
- It’s easy to get stuck in your room or at Leavey Library without any sunlight or fresh air while you continue to work. However, it is especially important during midterms to get outside! It’s been proven that having time in the sun can increase cognitive ability and motivation, so make sure to get some time out in the sunlight either relaxing or studying.
Although it feels like you should keep working, it is extremely important to take a break. Your brain and mental health need the time to relax and restore energy. Good luck on midterms!
