This blog post has been updated by Kristina Rust, Career Consultant on April 1, 2024 for relevancy, inclusivity, and formatting.
Ahhh, yes… Midterms! They are the bane of nearly every student’s existence and a constant source of self-questioning; but it does not always have to be this way. Midterms are an indication of knowledge one should spend more time mastering, not a representation of everything that you know in a given area. For this reason, I think it is important that you (1) remember to breathe, (2), relax, and (3) for the love of all things health related, try not to stress. If you find yourself needing motivation to finish that paper or study for a test, remember these three quotes:
3. "All great achievements require time." – Maya Angelou
Sometimes, it is hard to see past the midterm exam and paper pile up. As a student, the sum of one course or even one semester is not representative of all that you are or who you will become. In fact, it is a very small piece of what makes you unique. As you work towards your goals, remember to be patient. Few things change when we want them to and even fewer overnight. Remember to reward yourself each time you finish a task—even if it is with a selfie.
2. “When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” – Hellen Keller
Know that you are not enduring the midterms battle alone. Set up study times with an acquaintance in your class or a longtime friend in another major. You will be surprised how much your different perspectives and backgrounds can help you to conquer and accomplish whatever midterm goals you set forth! The faster you adapt to constructing mutually beneficial relationships in college, the easier it will be once you graduate!
1. “Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” – The Dalai Lama
This quote exemplifies how necessary it is to enjoy college. As a career consultant, I think it is enormously important for students to plan for their next step, get involved, and give back to those who need it most. I also, however, find myself encouraging students who have followed this advice the most to #chill. It is okay to binge watch Netflix, eat that extra dessert, and hang out with friends so long as you do these things in moderation. Midterms are just a glimpse of what life is like in the real world when you have tons of competing deadlines and tasks. It is designed to help prepare you, not to steal your joy or break you.
If you remember nothing during this midterm season, remember this: The University of Georgia admissions team brought you here for a reason! They know that you are qualified to do great work, the key is figuring out how you can best manage all of it.
Happy Midterms!