Three ways to manage time during the midterm season

Here are 3 ways for you to make the most of your midterm season while getting some time to have a pumpkin-spice latte or maybe a delicious Café mocha with your friends after a productive study session.

Request extensions only when needed

To make the best use of your time, try completing your assignments at the earliest, preferably before the initial deadline. That way, you will get one task off your to-do list and havemore time to focus on your other assignments and tests. I remember one of my favorite professors saying “Perfection is the enemy of good.” Sometimes, all you need is a final submission. It doesn’t always have to be the best.

Request extensions only when you know you are on a serious time crunch, and there’s no way you could hand in the submission before the deadline. Otherwise, try your level best to get it over and done with. It is an awesome feeling just to get things done.

45/15 study sessions

Studies suggest that our brain is usually not good at multitasking. Try reading a chapter on the colonization of the global South while checking your Instagram feed every few minutes. It is a struggle to focus! One way to get the most out of your study sessions is breaking them into intervals of 45/15: 45 minutes of work, and 15 minutes of rest. Study for 45 minutes straight, without any distractions, and then rest for 15 minutes. You can try modifying this interval to 25/5, 30/10 or maybe something else that works for you. The key here is to gain that momentum to study for long hours while giving yourself a much-needed break to retain what you are learning. This will help increase your productivity and give you some time to have fun after a few productive study sessions.

One day at a time

There is no point in freaking out about something that is yet to happen. Try taking it one day at a time. Focus on your assignments and tests that are due soon before crying over a midterm that is ten days from now. Keep your daily activities in check. Make sure you rest, eat well and go on walks if that’s what you usually do. I remember hitting the gym a day prior to my final Hindi CBSE board exam. One of my aunts saw me at the gym during that time and said, “What are you doing here Ishan? Go study. Don’t you have your final grade 12 exams going on?” My honest reply to them was “Yes, Aunt Marie. However, I can’t stop my normal life and what I usually do because of my exams.” The point here is for you to still find some time for the things that make you happy. Maybe it’ss playing guitar or making a sketch or perhaps going on a walk with one of your friends. Be kind to yourself! It is all the more important amidst such a busy time of the school year

There you go! You now have three ways to embrace the midterm season!

Go ace all your tests while saying yes to that vegan chocolate fudge brownie from Made by Marcus. Yes, it is a busy time of the school year but you can’t stop living. Manage your time effectively and keep doing things that make you who you are. You will be fine. I promise!

Success and Wellness at the U of A