Midterms are right around the corner. Most students start stressing out about their midterm exams, papers, and assignments weeks before they are due, but do not get them done until the day before. Procrastination is a huge problem for a lot of students, including myself! There are multiple ways you can prepare for midterms week that can help your mental and physical health.
Some ways to help your mental health during this week can be trying to get your assignments done earlier or start studying for your exams before the day they are due. It helps prevent stress and worry about your assignments. You can also reach out to peers or mentors to talk about the stress you are under (talking to my friends about what I am dealing with will usually help my mental health).
Some ways to help with your physical health during midterms week can be trying to eat better or eating consistently. Ethan Steward, a junior at SNU, says “I normally eat pretty healthy throughout the semester, but when midterms or finals hit, I find myself reaching for the chips or ice cream and getting into a slump.” This is not abnormal; when people are put under stress, they tend to look to comfort food to help them feel better.
Another way to help with your physical health during this stressful time is to try to exercise consistently. I find myself slipping on my workout routine when my life gets stressful and it can mess up my mood for the rest of the day. It is very important to stick to your routine, even if your life gets stressful. Ethan Thomason, a junior at SNU, says “Working out is something I can go to and for the hour or two I’m there I don’t think about anything but working out. It gives me a mental break and helps recharge me.” I think that exercise is a great tool in working on both your mental and physical health.
Overall, your mental and physical health are very important all the time, but we need to focus on it more during stressful times. They are very important aspects of everyday life and we need to make sure we do not lose sight of that when we are drowning in homework and exams. Another helpful resource is Renew Counseling Center; if you ever need to talk to someone about what you are going through, they are always available.