7 Things You Should Be Doing to Get Through Midterms (or any week for that matter)

1. Make a plan.
Make a to-do list, organize your planner, make a sticky note and stick it to your
wall and rip it off when it’s completed, whatever it takes. I tend to go
overboard and give myself time slots for everything, including showering and 30 minute relaxation breaks. But hey, whatever floats your boat.
2. Allow yourself little breaks.
Set a timer on your phone and work thirty minutes without interruptions. Then
have a two minute break where you can look at Twitter, Instagram, etc. Repeat cycle. Increase time increments if you can.
3. Plan something fun for when it’s all done.
Someone just asked me how I’ve been so calm with everything I have to do this
week. Well, when I want to break down and sleep for the next five days, I remind myself of the wicked fun thing I planned for the weekend. You may or may not have to repeat this mantra to yourself like eighty times while studying.
4. Multi-task.
Eat while you study, study while you eat. Quiz yourself mentally on facts when you’re driving. Just keep it moving.
5. Don’t skip out on something because you’re “too busy.”
For me, I take a yoga class at my gym on Mondays. You may be extra busy this
week, but make time for the things you do on a regular basis. It will make you
feel more normal.
6. GET. ENOUGH. SLEEP.
You won’t retain as much if you’re tired. Weren’t you listening in 5th grade
health class?
7. Drink extra water.
That coffee you just had dehydrated you. The more dehydrated you are, the harder your crash will be after that caffeine high. Drink some water, save yourself a headache. Hell, maybe even put some lemons or other citrus fruit in it.

l8r sk8rs,

Justine

We’re all in this together. (cue the coordinated dance scene.)

If you know that Ashton Kutcher isn’t a band, I’m sure you’re aware of the movie Mean Girls. Ms. Norbury, played by Tina Fey, states the seemingly obvious.

Why are we calling each other sluts and whores? (Along with many other things.) It turns out that Tina Fey wasn’t just trying to make a cult comedy, but had a point to emphasize from the book she adapted the plot from (Queen Bees and Wannabees.)I’m not going to bore you with the endless questions Tina Fey asks the girls of North Shore High and the questions I’m sure girls wonder daily. We females are on the same team. As Troy Bolton and the rest of the Wildcats from High School Musical sings and dances, we’re all in this together. Knocking me down only brings you (fellow female) down too. Maybe not directly, but in the long run you are hurting girls everywhere. You’re perpetuating the endless cycle you hate. Instead of thinking when the next guy hurts you “Would he treat his sister this way?” think “Would I be happy if my daughter put up with this bull shit?” NO.

We can fight the problem of being put down as a sex by starting with ourselves. As the late Michael Jackson sang, “I’m starting with the [wo]man in the mirror.. If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change.” This all sounds cliche, but quit making the guy population of society our scape goat for our inner self loathing. It’s a cliche for a reason. You think you’re winning by putting me down as a “stupid bitch?” Well, you just scored on your own team, in the goal you’re trying to protect. Welcome to soccer for five year olds.

I’m not saying we should all live in a world where we bake cakes from rainbows and smiles and we’d all eat it and be happy. But we sure as hell can make it a little less mean.

l8r sk8rs,
Justine