Midterms.
The very word makes most college students cringe. While we get the gift of a two-day vacation plus the weekend, the week we just finished was a jumble of papers, tests and presentations.
It’s a stressful and dreary time. Our workload is much more intense than it is during the average week of classes. When classes finally end on Friday, we’re all thankful to be done with tests for the moment. We get a short, but sweet, two-day vacation to rest our brains.
But what happens when we get back?
The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. When we return from midterm break, October will be halfway over, which means tAhe winter winds will be heading our way soon. Our energy is down, and our willingness to leave our dorms and apartments is pretty much gone.
We start to slack off on our work. We lose motivation and decide that it’s just not worth it to get that B up to an A-.
Don’t let midterms ruin your work ethic when you return from break. While midterms can be stressful, it’s important to remember that midterm grades are not unchangeable. They’re just an indication of how you’re doing so far
Getting a lackluster midterm grade can really hinder your mood. Most of us have been there before. You see a C or a D in a class you didn’t really care about, or you just didn’t put in as much work as you should have. It’s discouraging, especially if you think you were trying really hard.
Midterms are here to show you where you stand academically. They let you know how much more effort you need to put in to get a good grade after finals.
This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff.
It’s easy to slack after midterms. It’s cold. Pretty soon it will be snowy. The urge to skip that one early class and stay in your warm, comfy bed is stronger than ever, especially if you aren’t doing too well in class.
Use this midterm break as a time to relax and recharge. Maybe start looking ahead in your textbooks to see what’s coming up next and prepare yourself.
When we get back, we only have a few weeks until Thanksgiving break. After that, Christmas break is right around the corner. Use the weeks after midterms to the best of your ability.
The rest of the semester after midterms is not a time to slack. It’s a time to come back with vigor and prove to yourself that you can get that C up to a B+ or higher. If you had good grades at midterms, then use the rest of the semester to keep those grades up.
It’s so easy to think “If I don’t do this assignment, will it really matter that much?” or “I don’t really need to study for this test. What’s the point?” The point is to learn from your midterms and get your grades to a level that you will be happy and satisfied with.
Keep yourself motivated. Keep yourself healthy, physically and mentally. Set goals, and reward yourself when you meet them. Keep your spirits up.
Don’t let the winter blues bring you and your grades down.
