Don’t let stress get the best of you during midterms week! Letting midterms take over your life won’t do you any good anyway. It’s important not to panic. A few simple changes to your schedule will keep you calm, cool, collected, and ready to conquer those tests and essays. Change Your Study Environment If you keep yourself locked up in the library, you’ll surely go insane. Scope out a new study spot in the academic building (black couches outside of the library, bean bags in the library, 8th floor lounge) for a change of scenery, or better yet, take a quick cab ride to a café to escape the NYU Shanghai bubble. Check out some recommended cafes here (link to Study in Style) Treat Yo Self (Before and Afterwards) A little indulgence won’t hurt. Order a batch of cookies from Strictly Cookies or Pom Pom Cookies for mid-study pick me up. Book a relaxing massage for yourself at Dragonfly after all of your midterms are over, or plan a day (or night) out on the town to celebrate. There’s tons of new bars and restaurants to check out, like The Nest or Rooftop 325. Take a Well-Deserved Break Midterms don’t mean you have to stay holed up all weekend. You’re still allowed to have fun! Reward yourself with a meal besides delivery food or 8 kuai la mian and bring along some friends who need a break too. Get Moving Exercise is proven to aid with stress. On low pollution days, go for a stroll or jog around Yuanshen Stadium or make the trek to Century Park. Otherwise, head to the good ol’ 268 gym and get your heart rate going on the elliptical. You’d be surprised to realize how easy it is to get your mind off of everything while exercising. Plus, the endorphins kick will get you feeling great. Find Your Inner Zen Meditating with simple breathing patterns and calming music will do the trick. Being in a peaceful state of mind will help the night before an exam. Check out meditation podcasts for guided techniques as well. Namaste.

This article was written by Tatiana Bautista. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: