You deserve a break!
Midterm season is hectic and crazy, but try not to let it get your spirits down! Amidst the hustle of nonstop classes and exams, amongst the crowds of peers dragging their feet to a 7 p.m. final, and between “lock-in” sessions at Main Stacks, you can always find opportunities to ground yourself and ease the stress that comes with these next few weeks of the semester. If you feel like you don’t have time to relax or find that box breathing between lectures just isn’t your style, read on for tried-and-true tips from fellow UC Berkeley students about how they make time to de-stress.
Tip #1: Go on a study date.
This first tip is actually from me — if you don’t want to abandon all your work and go on an excursion, make it a study date! My friends and I love to chat and relax on the short BART ride to San Francisco, and then find a cafe there in which we can settle down and study for a few hours. Just a few weeks ago, we studied on the sprawling lawns of Mission Dolores Park. We were able to get work done while also enjoying a beautiful view and sipping on matcha from a place we’d all wanted to try for a long time.
Tip #2: Pursue a micro-hobby.
Chances are you aren’t studying for all 24 hours of your day, so why not replace your doomscrolling break with dedicated time to reconnect with your interests? A short screen-free break can help relieve stress and ensure you come back to your work with a clearer mind.
“My favorite ways to de-stress are writing miscellaneous poems in my notes app and listening to or making music!” – Nolan Zils, Class of 2027, majoring in media studies
Me playing my classical guitar!
“Whenever I get too stressed out, there’s a couple hobbies I turn to to focus myself again. A classic for me is woodworking, or just projects where I need to use my hands. Though, given the limited space and tools available to me while here in Berkeley, I’m mostly relegated to small carvings like rings or other tchotchkes. Other than that, I’ve recently gotten into Magic: The Gathering! My friend and I make a point to play on Fridays.” – Vincent Vidana, Class of 2026, majoring in English
Tip #3: Spend time in nature.
“Recently, I’ve been going hiking with my friends! We’ve explored a bit of Golden Gate Park, the Oakland Hills and State Redwoods Park, and the Clark Kerr Fire Trails. I like to bring along my digital camera and take cute photos of nature and my friends. Sometimes we really do need to touch grass!” – Milana Berhe, Class of 2028, majoring in astrophysics and political science
The hike above is from the Oakland Hills! This hike was filled with geocaches as well, so we took the opportunity to look for some. Geocaches are hidden objects that people can leave clues online to find on the geocache website. We found one in a slightly off-path, small cave made of tree roots.
The oldest signature was from 2016! We signed our names as well.
“One thing that helps me de-stress is going on weekly walks with my roommates and playing Pokémon Go along the way. Pokémon Go is a game that requires you to physically move around in order to actually play — and you have to walk at least 3 kilometers per day to level up your buddy Pokémon — so it’s actually been great motivation to get out of the house every day, as silly as that might sound. Sometimes my roommates and I follow the game’s pre-made routes and stop for coffee along the way, but oftentimes we just wander around the city for an hour or two while chatting. These walks are probably my favorite part of the week.” – Nina Takahashi, Class of 2026, majoring in film & media
Pawmo, my Pokémon Go buddy! I try to walk at least four kilometers with her every day in hopes of one day evolving her into Pawmot.
Tip #4: Don’t overthink it.
Exams can be scary and stressful, but only as much as you make them so. Remember that midterms are not an evil trap set by your professors — rather, they are a great chance for you to show off the knowledge you’ve gained so far and ensure that you’re on track with the course material. And even in the “worst” case, one exam score does not define you.
Here’s hoping that these tips will help you not only de-stress during the upcoming midterm season, but encourage you to build these small moments of joy into every day as well.
Reva Gokhale, Class of 2027, is majoring in data science and environmental economics and policy.
Want More?
- Read on for tips on tackling finals.
- Take a break by going bear statue hunting!
- Explore ways to get active at Cal.