Every semester, when the halfway mark rolls around, Pepperdine students are faced with midterm season. Students are tasked with the challenge of juggling seemingly endless academic and extracurricular responsibilities.
The overwhelming pressures arise form the intense workload, sophomore Isabella Morton said.
“I am a Finance and Economics double major,” Morton said. “During midterms, all the workload from my classes accumulates and it can get stressful.”
Pepperdine athletes — who have packed schedules with class, practice and competitions — find ways to manage their stress while still making time for their other commitments, according to sophomore Ava Maly, a member of the Pepperdine track team.
“During midterms, our schedule is hectic,” Maly said. “I try to plan the exact times to do my assignments, to eat and sleep as I start my day early with 6:30 a.m. practices.”
Students said the most important aspect of maintaining balance during midterms is managing time effectively.
“I have an on-campus job and am part of a community service club too,” Morton said. “I try to be very organized and am very committed to my activities.”
Using planners and time management apps are essential tools that help students ensure a healthy balance between time spent studying and prioritizing oneself, sophomore Emma Deljanin said.
“My favorite thing to use is my planner,” Deljanin said. “I write everything down and create to-do lists so I don’t miss anything.”
Students said another method they find extremely helpful when studying for midterms is study groups. Morton said leaning on other students and classmates helps alleviate the stress of tests, projects and papers due during this time.
“I learn a lot from my classmates,” Morton said. “Having study groups holds me accountable for the content I have to study.”
Students have access to several resources to help reduce stress levels during this intense time. Among the most popular options on campus are the fitness center and Campus Rec’s fitness classes.
Students said getting off campus during midterm season can serve as a great mental break and a way to refresh in between studying.
“I am a fan of the Good Point pilates classes,” sophomore Isabella Alvarez said. “I try to go at least once a week and recharge.”
Pepperdine encourages spiritual well-being as part of its mission. Faith gatherings like The Well and on-campus church services are some of the activities that students take advantage of that provide them with a sense of community and calm.
“When I want to destress, I go to The Well because the sense of community uplifts me,” Maly said.
Midterms can be daunting, but students said that with the right strategies, it is possible to manage stress and maintain a balanced life during such a hectic time.
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Contact Karla Suzuki via email: karla.suzuki@pepperdine.edu
