practical tips on surviving midterms

Last year, I shared some thoughts on surviving midterms from the perspective of our heart posture. I so easily drift toward thinking my grades speak to who I am and are at the core of my self-life. I stand by my point that the most important pursuit of my life will always be God and His Kingdom, not school. However, as I stated in that blogpost one short year ago:

This is not to say that we should forsake education and not take it seriously. What kind of image bearers of God would Christians be if we were collectively lazy, anti-intellectual and unconscientious? We are called to do all things for His glory. I want God's name to be exalted in my studies, and I want to please Him in the way I apply myself. It would not glorify the King of Kings if I failed all my classes and offered that to Him. 

I am currently registered in school as a full-time student. I believe God has brought me to University to shape me into the person He has designed me to be, and gain a better understanding of His calling over my life. I also believe academics can give us a better grasp on who God is in His infinite knowledge and what He has done and is doing in the world. Schooling has allowed me to challenge my worldview and learn from people who view the world from an entirely different lens than me. Moreover, campus has been a space for formation, spiritual introspection and missional opportunity. 

Briefly, I don't want to neglect the immense opportunity that is University. I have had to actively fight against the lie that success correlates with achievements. This lie permeates my school culture, where sleepless nights and weeklong caffein-based diets are viewed as bragging material amongst students. However, I also want to apply myself in the name of proper stewardship of time, finances and spiritual gifts. 

Since midterm season is upon us, I thought I would share some practical tips on studying and surviving what can easily become the most stressful time of the year. In writing this list, I wanted to avoid hacks that aim toward non-stop productivity and cutting corners. The Bible is clear: the way of Jesus is about slowing down and prioritizing emotional/ spiritual well-being, NOT high-speed capacity and achievements. Oh, how my wandering heart needs to remember this!

So, if you're looking for tips on how to read a 40 page reading in record time, this isn't the place. But if you want some ideas on how to study effectively and healthily, keep reading!

1. Make a schedule and start early

I know what you're thinking- thanks, MOM. I know, I know. The truth is: cramming really is a disservice to our learning. We retain less and ultimately become more exhausted. I have studied last minute for exams more time than I care to admit, and I generally feel ill-prepared or drained as I head into the examination. I have really found studying and paper-writing to be most helpful (and enjoyable) when I begin ahead of time. I write down a schedule for the material I want to cover every night leading up to the exam or due date, and I then review them all the exam-eve. Sticking to a prepared schedule helps me maintain a good rhythm and avoid overwhelm.

2. Get a website blocker

For paper writing and studying, computers and the Internet can be a great gift. When I hear my parents talk about their University days and the way they had to take out over 15 books at the library for a five-page research paper (written by hand or typewriter, I might add), I can't help but be grateful for the access to information we have in academics today. THAT SAID, I get so tempted to surf the Internet and do just about anything online other than review my notes or finish a paper. This app for Mac computers, called Self-Control, is a great resource which blocks access to websites for a given period of time. This has been a game changer for me, helping me focus so I can go to bed at a holy hour. Check out more website blockers here.

3. Respect your body and mind's limits

This is the one I struggle with the most, but have to remind myself of again and again. I want to honor my body, and accept that I have limitations by virtue of being a human. Sleep is needed by all- and I do not want to buy into my culture's rhetoric that sleep and rest can be circumvented by human will, motivation, caffeine or high-tech technology. I do not believe lack of sleep is a badge of honor, representative of hard work. In reality, all-nighters and sleep-deprived studying are foolish- I always regret going into exams after a four hour night's sleep.

I also believe a day of rest, worship and enjoyment (Sabbath) is an important way to preserve spiritual wellness and emotional health in seasons of stress. You can read more on that here.

Speaking of enjoyment, a way to respect your mind and mental health is to make room for fun and exercise during midterms. My sister often reminds me an effective workout can be 10 minutes long. That is a great way to give your brain a break, and subsequently, help with concentration! I seek fun while studying by taking breaks in a rhythmic fashion (not too often, of course)- to read a bit of a book I'm enjoying, go for a walk, talk to a friend. Don't pursue the grades and forsake yourself in the meantime!

4. Create a space that is enjoyable
I find it so helpful to create a peaceful space for studying and paper-writing. For some, the best study space is a quiet library void of noise and distraction. To others (like my dear boyfriend), studying at home is too difficult- so he opts for coffee shops to get work done. In my experience, home is the most serene place to hit the books- I have a candle burning, soft music playing and coffee in hand, and I get 'er done. Generally speaking, having an uncluttered surface that is brightly lit is a good recipe for comfortable studying!

5. Acknowledge what you are learning

It is so easy to become cynical and negative about school when it seems to be a source of fatigue and pressure. I however have to remind myself to be thankful for what I am studying and for the opportunity to be pursuing an education, recognizing so many in the world currently do not have this gateway to freedom and self-actualization. When I feel like what I am studying is boring, stressful and useless, I try to name two things I have genuinely found interesting in the course or assignment. This helps me change my outlook, shifting it from pessimism to thankfulness.

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I hope these little tips are helpful to you. Again, I'll repeat the importance of having a good heart posture in a competitive context which tells you your accomplishments are the end all be all. Grades are measurable and therefore so easily used to quantify us as beings (as are any numbers, whether on a transcript, scale or in a bank account), yet in adopting this mindset we deeply harm our perception of self.

Remember today who you are, and how precious. May it be with this mindset that you walk into exam season- fearless, humble, rested and content.