As midterm week approaches, student stress levels are on the rise. Mid-semester exams may cause a student to experience excess stress, so it is important to know how to stay calm.
Student health services, located across from the Admin building, is an organization students can utilize. Student health services works closely with students to improve all areas of health, including stress management and mental health, Director of Health Promotion Emily Tuschhoff said.
“If I was to give students advice for midterms week I would say firstly, that we hope students can learn stress management early in the year and utilize it through the semester … secondly, I would say listen to your body — know your signs of stress, identify what you’re stressed about, recognize what you can and cannot control, engage in positive coping mechanisms such as exercise and yoga, and have some active self-care strategies like getting a good night’s sleep,” Tuschhoff said.
However, Tuschhoff said some stress can be good. She said the nervousness one gets before an exam can give students a boost. But, recognizing the tipping point can be important.
“When we’re too stressed it leads to overwhelming ourselves and our performance goes down,” Tuschhoff said. “We want students to stay in an optimal zone of stress.”
Time management during midterms week is what Tuschhoff said she believes success really comes down to. “Prioritization and time management are the most important tools to utilize,” Tuschhoff said. To prepare for midterm exams, UI offers drop-in tutoring for those in need of assistance.
The Tutoring and College Success office, located in TLC 306, advises students on time management. “Make a schedule — prioritize studying,” said David Reis, lead academic coach for Tutoring and College Success.
Reis said the tutoring center advises two hours of studying for every hour of class time for upcoming exams. “Make these study sessions brief, take a break and then go back to studying,” Reis said. “Allow for one hour of review right before the midterm.”
Repetitive routine studying is key, and Reis said research shows such schedule is one of the best tools a student can use, as repeated study sessions are a good way to reduce stress and anxiety.
Although time management is important, the tutoring center also advises students not to switch up their routine completely just because of midterms, as this can cause more stress.
“Don’t try to change your routine too much,” said Marquise Evans, academic coach at Tutoring and College Success. “If you go to the gym every Wednesday, then go to the gym still on Wednesday.”
Evans said it is important to prioritize mental health above all else, to not eat junk food and to ensure a good night’s sleep. “It is not the time to participate in high risk behavior — manage your stress in healthy ways,” Evans said.
UI senior Kayla Watson studies microbiology and gives inside advice from a student’s perspective. “Find a quiet place to study, hold in there, midterms are daunting but not the end of the world — study and you’ll get through them,” Watson said.
“Priorities are important … studying is important, but don’t burn yourself out. Make sure you have time to sit down breath and relax — maybe drink some tea or something.”
Kilty Ellis can be reached at [email protected]