With midterms right around the corner, this can be a very stressful time for students with managing sports, and extracurricular activities and studying for these big tests. There are a lot of stressors that affect the lives of students, especially nowadays with social media, society’s social standards, and stereotypes. However, there are many ways that teachers, family members, and even your own self can help you get through these stressful times.
Each grade approaches midterms, finals, and even tests very differently. Typically your freshman year you’re just getting into the swing of things, figuring out how to get around the school, and tests and quizzes are not your top priority. However, it is just as important for a freshman to study well and try their best on a test as it is for an upperclassman.
But with that being said upperclassmen, especially the junior class tend to have a harder time managing their stress because as everyone says junior year is the hardest year. In my opinion, the workload is a lot, teachers are preparing you for the real world, college life, etc. So for juniors, midterms just add to the stress that is already very present in their lives.
A majority of seniors are already into college so as important as it is for them to do well in midterms, they are pretty content and just ready to get out of school and start a new chapter. Regardless of your age, or your grade midterms is an overwhelming time for everyone, people deal with the pressure of succeeding very differently and that can be very challenging for many students.
In spite of that, there are countless ways to push through this exhausting time. From the University of Colorado Boulder students came up with 7 tips that can help take some stress off your shoulders while managing midterms.
1. Brain Dump: Encourage your students to check in with themselves about how they’re really doing. We recommend trying out a “brain dump”. During this exercise, your student should write down everything on their mind that is causing them to feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. This could include things like studying, upcoming exams, deadlines, group projects, relationships, work responsibilities, finances, or other general uncertainties.
2. Break It Down: Once students have made their list, it’s important to encourage students to ask themselves why. For instance, if the item causing your student the most stress is an upcoming assignment, ask them why. Maybe it feels like there is too much to do and not enough time or perhaps they’re unsure how to begin. This is an important step in the process because it allows students to break down their list into smaller, more manageable tasks that they can tackle. Encourage your students to focus on things they can accomplish within five or ten minutes. It could be as simple as emailing their professor with questions, organizing a list of citations, or creating an intro slide in PowerPoint.
3. Time Management: If your students are working through multiple assignments, projects, or exams, they may assume it’s impossible to complete every single task. In these cases, it’s helpful for students to write down each assignment, deadline, and exam date. It can be especially helpful to use a planner or calendar to keep track of these important dates and deadlines. Encourage your student to prioritize their work based on what is coming due and the amount of time they think it may take to complete a given task. It may be helpful for them to jot down when they’re going to work on specific assignments and commit to a planned schedule. Remind your student that creating a roadmap in advance may not give them more time, but it can help them visualize exactly where their time is going and how to best use it.
4. Basic Needs: When we’re feeling overwhelmed, even simple tasks can feel exhausting. Make sure your student is meeting their basic needs by using the acronym: HALT.
H: Hunger can be a signal to satisfy our physical and emotional needs. Eating regularly can also help students maintain their energy and motivation. Encourage your student to plan ahead for longer days on campus by packing snacks or prepping meals in advance. If your student sometimes forgets to eat, it can be helpful to remind them to set a timer or alarm on their phone for breaks and meal times.
A: Anger, It’s normal for students to feel agitated, angry, or frustrated during midterms. However, it’s important to help your student find ways to move through their anger in a healthy way. Physical activity, movement, meditation, and creative outlets can help. Encourage your students to explore options that work best for them, and remind them to make time to enjoy activities that help them work through feelings of stress and frustration.
L: Loneliness, students can sometimes struggle with feelings of loneliness or isolation when they don’t feel understood or have withdrawn into themselves as a coping mechanism. If your student appears to be struggling, ask them if they’ve reached out to anyone recently. Calling a friend, visiting a loved one, making time to be social, or connecting with a mental health provider can all help ease feelings of isolation and loneliness
T: Tiredness, Students are often tempted to pull all-nighters. However, reminding them to prioritize their sleep schedule to ensure they’re getting 7 to 9 hours of rest each night can be more helpful in the long run. Encourage your student to use the “do not disturb” function on their phone and put away their devices before bed. If they’re still feeling tired during the day, encourage them to take a short nap.
5. The Next Right Thing: Your student may look at their list and feel completely overwhelmed. When this happens, it’s important to help them focus on doing the “next right thing.”The “next right thing” is the next simplest step that is going to help move your student forward. Sometimes this means attending to their basic needs (HALT); other times it means committing to start a single item on their list. If the next right thing feels too hard for your students to pin down, encourage them to check in with themselves again. What feels the most overwhelming? Can they break it down into smaller pieces? Can they tackle one of the smaller pieces right now? Reminding your students to repeat this check-in process anytime they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed can help them remember that it only takes one small step to gain forward momentum.
6. Small Wins: Help your student bask in the glory of small achievements. If they call to tell you about an exam or how much they’ve been studying, acknowledge the progress they’ve made. You can also encourage them to celebrate the end of midterms by: Having a nice dinner at home or at their favorite restaurant, Taking a day off to relax and practice self-care, Treating themselves to an extra special coffee order or a trip to the movies
7. Support Resources: If your student is feeling stuck right now or isn’t sure what to do, let them know it’s okay to ask for help. They can reach out to friends, family, peers, professors, and campus resources for help!
8. Academic Support: There are a number of academic resources on campus that can help students study, write papers, or prepare for exams.
9. Office Hours, If your student is unsure about expectations or needs clarifications on an assignment, encourage them to reach out to their instructors or TAs for help. Students can also visit them during office hours for additional support
Tutoring Services: Students can access tutoring services across campus through the residence halls, academic programs, and other departments.
Writing Center: The Writing Center is available to help all CU Boulder students with papers, presentations, and more for free.
10. Wellness Support: If your students need help managing stress, practicing self-care, or learning healthy coping techniques, there are a number of wellness resources that can help.
Let’s Talk: Let’s Talk is a free service that allows students to check in with a mental health provider for a brief, confidential consultation. Let’s Talk counselors can help provide insight, solutions, and information about additional resources.
Peer Wellness Coaching: Peer Wellness Coaching is a free service that allows students to access peer-based support. Peer wellness coaches can help students set and achieve their goals related to relationships, academics, wellness, and more.
Workshops: Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offer free virtual workshops to help students practice healthy coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, or other distressing emotions.
Wellness Wednesdays: Health Promotion offers free activities like mindfulness, self-care planning, stress management, and studying tips every Wednesday. These events are open to all undergrad and grad students.
Rec Center: The Rec Center is a great resource to help students stay connected with other Buffs and enjoy physical activity. They also offer a wide variety of free programs and events.
