It's midterm season. That means that on top of all the other things you already have to do, you're also pulling all-nighters studying for Chem 3b and MCB 102. All this stress can really drag you down.
But there are some things you can do to minimize the pressure you're feeling. One thing is time management, which was the topic of the last blog. Managing your time well and organizing your tasks can help reduce stress because it gives you a concrete way to tackle your responsibilities one by one. And planning out your work load in advance may prevent you from having to cram for a test or feeling unprepared.
Another thing is to do something that helps you to relax. This can include exercising, singing, watching TV, or even screaming into a pillow. It's important to find ways to let out the tension that you're feeling.
Personally, I find it helpful to talk to my friends about things. Once I vent and get things off my chest, I feel much more relieved and optimistic.
And if none of this works, just take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Things seem bigger and immensely important because they're happening right now. But chances are that a bad grade on an exam is not going to matter in a year or even a month. Harder to do than to say, I know, especially for Cal students. But don't forget to invest in things that you enjoy and that are more meaningful (like friendships! )