How to Stay Sane, Pass Your Exams & Maybe Even Shower This Week
Welcome to midterm season. That happened fast, didn’t it? It’s time for caffeine-fueled chaos and emotional rollercoasters, and its also the moment you realize your syllabus wasn’t joking. But don’t worry. Our team at Real Life Co has got you. Here’s your step-by-step guide to surviving (and maybe even thriving).
Make a Study Plan (That You’ll Actually Follow)
Work backward from your test dates. This will help make your study plans much more manageable, and you’ll have a better chance of actually retaining the information in your study guides, which is the whole goal. Decide how much time each class deserves, and be honest, Chem 101 probably needs more love than your third rewatch of Scandal.
Reverse-engineer your week like you do Netflix binges, just swap popcorn for flashcards.
Pro Tip: Color-code your calendar. You’ll feel wildly productive even if you just stare at it.
Schedule Everything (Yes, Even Sleep)
Add study sessions, workouts, meals, naps, and the social event you can’t skip. Your life can’t just be twenty-four hours in the library seven days a week. Sleep belongs in your Google Calendar too, and no, four hours doesn’t count as “rest.” This isn’t your European Summer vacation. Sleep should be a non-negotiable when it comes to studying, stress, and a high volume of tests. This cozy blanket will help.
Studying nonstop isn’t noble. It’s how you burn out and end up crying in the library bathroom.
Pro Tip: Set a fake bedtime 30 minutes earlier than you plan to sleep. Trick your future self into doing something responsible.
Find Your Study Style
Be real with yourself. Are you a group-study genius or the person who ends up gossiping about your favorite reality show for two hours? Some people need total silence. Others need lo-fi beats and a matcha latte. Find your flow and don’t waste time trying to be social during a time when you really need to perform.
Let’s put it this way: if your study group spends more time making playlists than studying, it’s a hangout, not a session.
Pro Tip: Try recording yourself explaining concepts. If you can teach it, you actually understand it. If you can’t, time to review. And, of course, these videos never have to see the light of day.
Eliminate Distractions (Sorry, FOMO)
Social media will still exist when you’re done. Promise.
Set time limits, mute group chats, and say no to “just one drink” invites. Your GPA (and your stress levels) will thank you later.
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Your friends can survive without your memes for one night.
Pro Tip: Keep your phone in another room for 25-minute study sprints. It’s wild how much you’ll get done when you can’t scroll. Get yourself some headphones to drown out the noise. Our favorites are here: headphones & bluetooth earbuds.
Take Care of Yourself (You’re Basically a Fancy Houseplant)
Hydrate. Move. Eat. Rest. Repeat.
Take a walk, stretch, and touch grass (literally). Don’t sacrifice your health for a highlight reel of all-nighters.
Treat yourself like a thriving houseplant with water, sunlight, and healthy food options.
Pro Tip: Keep a water bottle at your desk. Every time you get stuck, take a sip. Hydration and procrastination can coexist. Lemon and honey also work to keep your immune system boosted.
Study Smarter, Not Harder
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Go to office hours. Professors actually like it when you show up.
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Switch it up: flashcards, mock quizzes, study playlists.
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Study in chunks. Your brain needs breaks to remember things.
Don’t cram a whole semester in one night, even The Summer I Turned Pretty deserves pacing.
Pro Tip: 50-minute study blocks + 10-minute breaks = your new religion. You’ll be surprised at how much information you’ll retain and how much better you will feel.
Don’t Just Survive. Thrive.
Flip the script on this stressful season. Midterms aren’t academic doom week; they’re your character development arc. With a solid plan, enough cold brew, and a semi-responsible bedtime, you’ve got this.
Pro Tip: When it’s over, celebrate. Dance it out. Get brunch. You earned it.
College is messy, hilarious, and hard. But you’re doing it, and that’s pretty major.
So study smart, rest well, and remember: this is all part of the master plan. That's just real life, baby!