Written by Sarah Joseph
Midterms are just around the corner! And with that comes all the stress and worry typically associated with midterms. For some, midterms may seem just like any other test but for some these are the determiners for the rest of the semester: the grade you have so far determines how much work you need to put in for the rest of the semester. Luckily there are some things you can do to prepare you for the upcoming week:
Look at Commons menu and plan out your meals
It’s important to eat especially when stressed because food fuels your body! According to Harvard Health, it is important to eat regular meals as it prevents your body from going into a hypoglycemic state of shock. So don’t plan on skipping meals to cram more study sessions in! Also, if one of your favorite meals is available this week, you have something to look forward to! Harvard professor, Alison Wood Brooks, found that when people felt excited, they performed better on tasks they intended to complete.
Stay Hydrated
You should be drinking between 6-12 glasses of water everyday. According to Medical News Today,”Dehydration can affect brain structure and function. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.” So drink water so you can think and reason!
Get some sleep
Everyone has heard this before. But sleep is important! Your body needs to rest and recharge and sleep is the vehicle to do so! Harvard Health emphasizes that sleep helps your learning and memory. When you sleep, your brain can “ commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation.”
Don’t cram
I know procrastination is real, but cramming doesn’t help. Often cramming is the number one culprit for lack of sleep! You’ll do so much better on your exam if you don’t cram!
Make time for physical activity
Taking care of your body actually helps with your brain functions. Harvard Health says that “The benefits of exercise come directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors—chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells.” So despite the fact you may think you are losing valuable study time by going to the gym or a group fitness class, exercise actually will help you have more productive study sessions. (Pro tip: bring your homework to the gym! I often like to bike and read through my notes to study)
Laugh!
Don’t forget that enjoying life is possible during midterm week! If you want more incentive to laugh, according to neuroscientists at Harvard laughter triggers a chemical release, endorphins, in the brain that create feelings of contentment and well-being. That is much needed during stressful times.
