Staying Well During Midterms
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
It’s the height of midterm season and everyone around you is getting sick. The combination of lack of sleep, stress, and lack of self-care can easily lead to you feeling unwell when you most need to be at your best. It’s easy to forget to do the things that keep us well when things get hectic, leading to a positive feedback loop of stress. Here are some reminders and tips for you to be and stay well!
Get your flu shot!
It’s officially flu season and unless you want to be congested and fatigued during your midterm, I highly advise you get the 2019-2020 influenza vaccination.
You can get a free flu shot AND a 5$ coupon (while supplies last) from the USC Village Target or the CVS on Figueroa. Don’t have the energy to walk North of campus? You can also get a free flu shot from the immunization clinic at the Engemann Student Health Center if you’re on the USC Student Health Insurance plan. Don’t have USC insurance? No worries. Target and CVS are free for any medical insurance (or you can still get your flu shot for $20 at Engemann).
Prioritize Sleep
Yes. I get it. It’s hard. But sleep makes a noticeable difference. Even though you may have 2 programming assignments due and your organic chemistry lab the next day, prioritize your own health and get your 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep in. Your health should always come first.
Can’t Sleep?
Try some of these tips:
1) Get a blue light filter for your devices.
2) Avoid caffeine 6 hours prior to when you want to sleep.
3) Try sleep supplements like melatonin.
4) Try visualization/day review techniques
5) Just close your eyes and breathe (:
Eat well!
Trying not to get sick? Vitamin C can boost the immune system. Go eat those oranges.
Don’t neglect your other vitamins either! 41.6% of American adults are Vitamin D deficient (Forrest and Stuhldreher, 2011). Whether it’s classic dairy, Vitamin D infused alternatives (my favorite is rice milk), or supplements, make sure you’re getting in all your essential vitamins. Try to have a well-balanced diet. Meal prep can be a time-consuming, but we need to have good fuel to keep us running.
Here are some of my favorite recipes for quick & healthy food:
2) Tofu wraps
3) Shakshua
Reserve Time to Exercise
Whether it’s a quick 7 minute ab workout in the morning or 3 miles hike on the weekend, be sure to get in your exercise. Healthcare professionals recommend getting in at least 30 minutes of cardio per day. This will not only have you feeling better about yourself, but will also decrease your risk of contracting heart disease and other noncommunicable diseases in the future.
Here are a few quick and easy workout routines:
2) 10 minute ab workout to do in bed!
Have a To-Do List
Whether it’s in your planner, phone, or whiteboard, keep a list of all the things you need to do and their deadlines. This will make those nights when you’re so overwhelmed by work more manageable. Remind yourself to update your list as you go along so you can keep track of your progress and stay on top of it.
Form study groups
Sometimes you really want human contact but also know you need to be productive. You don’t need to choose between being with people you enjoy and being able to study. Invite friends and peers over to a study lounge and work together. Even if you’re not working on the same project, being in a room with others that are also being productive will hold you accountable to do your work too.
Ask for help
It’s really easy to feel overwhelmed and feel the learned helplessness of being unable to express your concerns. Always remember there are people who are willing and happy to support you be it a friend, family member, peer, professor, advisor, or counselor.
Call home
This one seems intuitive but its often in the height of stressful times where we’re more prone to feeling unwell that we forget to touch base with those we love and love us most. Call your mom for 15 minutes and let her know how you’re doing. Call your close circle of high school friends and see what they’re up to. We all need little reminders that we’re supported and loved.
Do things that make you happy
Whether this means taking the night before your midterm to pamper yourself to a spa night with a bubble bath and face mask or simply letting yourself watch a movie with friends, treat yourself to things that make you happy. Always have something to look forward to.
Want more from Trojans 360?
Visit Trojans 360 on Facebook & Twitter to stay up to date with more student content! You can also Ask A Trojan an anonymous question, and we’ll try to answer it in a future post. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.
