By Katherine Yaremko, Columnist
With some still burdened by the arrival of midterm exams, I have decided to devote this week to offering some advice for those stressed by this halfway period. Even though borderline hallucinations brought on by a combination of excessive caffeine and sleep deprivation are more notorious during finals, there still remains an undeniable amount of stress experienced in preparing for midterms.
If you are struggling with the act of juggling multiple midterms, or are simply overwhelmed by an immense workload, you may have to implement a triad approach to classes, devoting less attention to courses or assignments that are not as vital or interesting. This seems obvious and has certainly been proposed before; it even appears to be something we do instinctively. However, this approach should be considered carefully. Some classes or assignments may not be interesting, yet they are still necessary for understanding or achievement.
Even classes that do not appear to offer any form of interest or enjoyment may still provide you with something of value. At times, however, this may simply be an idealistic way of looking at things. Some courses simply are not enjoyable, and regardless of which perspective they are viewed from, do not seem to hold potential for an individual.
On my way to an evening class one evening, a student tell a friend that, if she had a number of papers due within the same time frame, she would mentally rearrange the due dates to make writing them less chaotic. Sometimes, the imposition of false due dates may help alleviate some stress, especially if you find yourself facing a particularly demanding week.
Stress can also be reduced by removing your mind from midterms to remember the fundamental reason you came to college. Too often, too much focus gets placed on one's immediate situation and circumstances, to the exclusion of the larger picture. It becomes relatively easy for you to be swept up in the array of papers, exams, and other assignments, and a larger perspective is lost. For example, if you are taking classes in a discipline whose practicality may not be immediately apparent, such as philosophy or literary studies, you can benefit from realizing how any particular assignment relates to your career track, not just within your academic environment.
If your have a major that almost directly mirrors what you wish to pursue as a career, this advice may not necessarily apply; although it is a good idea to check every now and then that your long-term goals are aligned with your current passions and interests.
Just remember that, regardless of how overwhelming courses are now, the stress will certainly pass. If you feel as though you are still struggling and need to withdraw from a class, then do what is needed to maintain your sanity.