Recharging After Midterms

Photo by Megan Silva

After a stressful week of midterms, it is time to destress and recharge. 

Spring midterm season is often one that college students dread the most, as it leaves them feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed. After committing time and energy into weeks of studying, writing papers, and taking exams, it is necessary to take the time to unwind and recharge your battery. Here are some ideas you could utilize to destress and get back to feeling like yourself again. 

Sleep

First things first, sleep! One of the first things to be sacrificed during midterm season is sleep. The main priority after midterms is to catch up on your sleep as it is one of the most important factors for overall well-being. Get back into a good routine you can stay consistent with. Try to aim for at least 7-8 hours per night. 

Movement

The next thing you want to do is increase your movement! Studying during a long period of time often means being stuck in a sedentary state. This can lead to stress staying stored in the body even after a stressful event has already passed such as midterms. Exercising is a great way to relieve this and boost those happy hormones. Go and take a walk, whether it is around campus, down to your local favorite shop, or a 3 plus mile hike up Mission Peak. Any sort of movement such as walking, going to the gym, or taking a yoga class can automatically help reset your mind and body. 

Learn Detachment 

Detach from technology for a little while. After spending a great amount of time studying and being glued to a screen, it is important to take a break. Engage in some form of activity away from your phone. Pick up a hobby like painting, reading, or even pottery making. 

Treat Yourself

Do not forget to reward yourself. Give yourself something to look forward to, whether it is treating yourself to your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant, a night out with friends, or spending a full day with yourself to do things you truly enjoy. Rewarding yourself for your accomplishments helps reinforce the hard work that you have just put in the past few weeks. 

Give Back

Remember to give time back to friends and family who have been supportive of your journey thus far. Sometimes focusing on yourself is mandatory for mental health, but we must also remember those who have been on the sidelines cheering us on. Visit or call your loved ones and let them know how much you appreciate them for all that they do. They miss you and reconnecting with them can also help ease post-exam stress. 

Plan Ahead

Lastly, while it can be tempting to completely abandon all thoughts of school, creating a plan for the rest of the semester can help ease anxiety when it is time to get back into the routine of it. Before coming back, take some time to organize what the rest of your semester will look like. 

Midterms can feel torturous, but taking the time afterward to prioritize your mental and physical well-being again is crucial to being better prepared and setting yourself up for a successfully balanced rest of the semester.  And do not forget to enjoy your well-deserved spring break!