How to Survive Midterms Without Your Head Exploding

Ah, yes, the wonderful season of midterms has arrived yet again. At this time, you can see university students are downing Redbulls and coffees, pulling their hair out, and spending countless hours in the library cracking their books (often for the first time). Every student encounters that one, terrifying moment where he actually realizes what lies ahead in the near future. This moment came to me about a week ago. I was buried in assignments, readings, reports, and presentations, when it finally occurred to me that on top of all of this, I also had to face five exams in the upcoming month. I was not remotely prepared for a single one.
Of course, my initial feelings were of panic and self-doubt. I felt completely overwhelmed and refused to believe that I was capable of passing any of my impending tests. It is nearly impossible to achieve any studying under these conditions, so I decided it was time to make a change.
As hard as it is to deal during these times of high stress, it is essential to one’s mental and physical health to release these nerves rather than let them build up inside. In order to start this process, I had to change my attitude, and I had to change it fast. As silly as it may sound, believing in yourself is a key factor that leads to success during exams. No productive studying can be done if you keep telling yourself that you are destined for failure. The first step is feigning confidence, which will eventually turn into true faith. Only once you know that you are capable of success can you actually achieve it.
The next most important step is allowing yourself a break as a reward for your hard work. All work and no play will only lead to exhaustion and even depression, so I find relaxing to be a vital part of studying and preparing for exams. I was faced with a dilemma this weekend, when I had to decide whether or not I would go away for the holiday. I’m from the States, and my friend John was nice enough to invite me to join his family for Thanksgiving at his cottage. Once the weekend finally approached, I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and anxious about all of my exams. I had to decide whether or not I was going to be able to make the trip.
After much reflection, I decided to join John for my first Canadian Thanksgiving, and I’m so glad that I did. We’ve enjoyed home-cooked meals, a gorgeous lake view (John was crazy enough to water ski in the freezing water!), mountain hikes, nighttime bonfires, and more. His family has been incredibly kind and made me feel welcome the entire time. I’ve found time to study while here, in between our relaxation and mini-adventures.
Now that I've observed my first observed Canadian Thanksgiving, I know exactly what I am thankful for. I’m so glad I decided to come on this trip because it allowed me to take some time for myself to clear my head of all the unnecessary stress. The mountain air has given me a sense of calm that I hope to take back with me to Montreal. Even though I didn’t study as much as I might have if I’d stayed at school, I was still able to get work done in a much more bearable fashion. This way, I’ll stay mentally stable and won’t burn out before my exams are finished.
So, to all my friends who face the same struggles as I do, I implore you to make time for yourself during these stressful periods. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to take a weekend in the country like me, be sure to give yourself a chance to unwind. Whether it be a walk up Mont Royal, a movie night with friends, a vigorous work out at the gym, a game of cards, or a trip to a local bar or restaurant, relieving stress and rewarding yourself for your hard work is just as important as the hard work itself. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back this month, and happy studying!