How to Survive Midterms Without Burning Out Well-Being
Midterm week is quickly approaching us, and for many students, midterms can be one of the most stressful times of the academic year. Between studying for exams, completing assignments, attending classes, and balancing personal responsibilities, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. While academic success is important, it should not come at the expense of personal well-being.
Research on student burnout has found that burnout can negatively influence students' motivation, performance, and overall well-being (Madigan et al., 2023). Burnout can also show up through constant exhaustion, difficulty focusing, irritability, or neglecting basic needs such as sleep and meals. Recognizing these warning signs and developing healthy study habits, maintaining routines, and learning how to manage stress can help students navigate demanding periods without experiencing burnout.
One effective way to reduce academic stress is by preparing for exams ahead of time. Waiting until the last minute can lead to cramming, increased anxiety, and difficulty retaining information. Creating a study schedule and breaking assignments into manageable tasks can help students stay organized and make better use of their time. One student, Eva Picarrazi, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, shared, “Studying early and ahead has been the most helpful for me. I sometimes struggle with procrastination, but I’ve noticed that I do a lot better when I start studying ahead of time. Creating a study schedule helps me stay organized, make the most of my time, and avoid the stress that comes with cramming. It also helps me to stay focused and feel more prepared for exams.” Her experience demonstrates how preparing early can improve focus, reduce procrastination, and make studying feel more manageable.
In addition to staying organized academically, students should make time for healthy routines during exam season. When deadlines begin to pile up, it can be tempting to sacrifice sleep, skip meals, or study for hours without taking a break. Getting enough rest, eating regularly, staying hydrated, and making time for physical activity can help students manage stress and maintain their overall well-being. Taking even a short break from schoolwork can help students reset, whether that means walking on the treadmill at Campus Rec for 10 minutes, attending a yoga class, or joining a one-day intramural sport event. Making time for these activities can give students an opportunity to step away from schoolwork and return feeling more refreshed. Research has found an association between poor sleep and stress among undergraduate students, showing the importance of maintaining healthy sleep habits during demanding academic periods (Gardani et al., 2022).
Midterms can be stressful, but students do not have to sacrifice their well-being to be successful. Preparing early, creating realistic study schedules, taking breaks, and maintaining healthy routines can help make exam season more manageable. Whether it is studying ahead of time, taking a short break at Campus Rec, or making time for sleep and other healthy habits, small choices can make a difference during stressful weeks. Academic success is important, but taking care of yourself along the way is just as important.
References
Madigan, D. J., et al. (2023). Interventions to reduce burnout in students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 39(2), 931–957. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-023-00731-3
Gardani, M., Bradford, D. R. R., Russell, K., Allan, S., Beattie, L., Ellis, J. G., & Akram, U. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of poor sleep, insomnia symptoms and stress in undergraduate students. Sleep medicine reviews, 61, 101565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101565
