5 THINGS OTHER THAN STUDYING THAT WILL HELP YOU ROCK YOUR MIDTERMS

Ah, midterms. The exams that are slightly less stressful than finals, but still pop up and surprise you midway through the semester. If you're not a strong test-taker (like me), sometimes they make you want to run and hide. I would take a five-page paper over a 50-minute exam any day. But just like everything else we do in college, it just takes practice and good habits to do well. While I'm the type of person to enjoy 8-hour study sessions during this season, it's important to remember all of the little things that will also help you succeed. Here are five things (other than studying!) that will help you rock midterms. Call someone There is nothing as comforting as calling a loved one. Whether that's your parents, a best friend from home, or even someone on campus, it will help. Talking out your worries with someone will help you get over any nerves you have and make you more confident. No matter how scary an exam may seem, it's important to remember that if you prepare to the best of your ability, the only thing standing in your way is your fear. I believe if you go into a test with confidence, you will do better than the person next to you who is nervous for no reason. Eat well When it comes to midterms, many people will turn to stress-eating. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You see the study guide for the exam has about 200 terms so you grab a bag of Doritos and try not to think about it. In the time before the test, you should stick to eating well. And I don't just mean healthy food, I mean eating well-rounded meals, and come test day, you should eat a good breakfast and/or lunch in preparation. As soon as it's over, go treat yourself. Sleep Most likely the number one tip I can give anyone during this time of the semester is to sleep normally. Don't take three-hour naps in the middle of the day, don't stay up until 4 in the morning studying, and most importantly, do NOT pull all-nighters (especially the day before/of the test). One of the easiest ways to make sure you get to sleep on time is to wake up at a consistently decent hour, probably some time before 10 a.m. at the latest. Even if you don't have classes until the afternoon, staying on track will help your body get into a natural rhythm that allows you to go to sleep at a reasonable time. This will allow you to avoid feeling groggy on the day of the test. Exercise It's the day before/of your exam. You've studied plenty, and you have an hour to spare. You should hit the gym. Exercise will not only wake you up, but it also helps you think more clearly. While many people would prefer to stay in bed and get an extra hour of sleep before a test, it's more beneficial to get up and do something active to jumpstart your cognition. It's been scientifically proven that physical activity before an exam can boost your score simply by helping you mentally. Spend time with friends Besides studying, exercising, sleeping and eating right, and all of the other things you want to do to prepare for a test, you should remember to have a little bit of fun. Don't let yourself go into the exam after being isolated from your friends. Grab coffee with a friend, eat dinner with your roommate, and spend some time laughing and enjoying having company. You should enjoy yourself! After all, it's just a test! Good luck to everyone on their midterms!

xo Kate