I love Berkeley. I am so happy I chose Cal, and this environment has definitely proven to challenge me everyday. My classes this semester are Physics 8B (electricity and magnetism), Chemistry 3B (organic chemistry), yoga, and R1B (an English class). While I'm only taking 13.5 units this semester, taking two science classes that both have labs definitely puts a lot of things on my plate. While I mentioned that coffee helps me during these times of need, I don't recommend resorting to caffeine entirely. I recently discovered yoga here at Cal, and it basically changed my life.
As a former cross-country runner and current snowboarder, I cannot explain in words how the practice of Ashtanga revealed to me how inflexible and weak I am. When I signed up for the class I thought that the class would be more of a meditative/stretching sort of class, and that turned out to be most definitely far from the truth. However, I became obsessed with becoming better at yoga and learning not only its physical practices but the message of yoga. I probably will never be able to forget the phrase my yoga instructor tells the class everyday: "Let each day be a day of mindful living." At first, the saying didn't really register with me. It seems a little odd to be living and not being fully aware of what you're doing. In time, though, when I truly thought about what the phrase meant and tried to apply it to my life, not only did I better myself as a person, but midterm week just became that much easier for me.
As a former cross-country runner and current snowboarder, I cannot explain in words how the practice of Ashtanga revealed to me how inflexible and weak I am. When I signed up for the class I thought that the class would be more of a meditative/stretching sort of class, and that turned out to be most definitely far from the truth. However, I became obsessed with becoming better at yoga and learning not only its physical practices but the message of yoga. I probably will never be able to forget the phrase my yoga instructor tells the class everyday: "Let each day be a day of mindful living." At first, the saying didn't really register with me. It seems a little odd to be living and not being fully aware of what you're doing. In time, though, when I truly thought about what the phrase meant and tried to apply it to my life, not only did I better myself as a person, but midterm week just became that much easier for me.
1) Instead of studying with music on and my cellphone nearby, I tried studying without any distraction. In a matter of days I noticed I was able to better master my studies and spend less time studying because I was focused, so I didn't have to re-study the material. This being the first of my few tips to cope with midterm week: FOCUS.
2) When I felt like I was becoming overwhelmed by a subject, I switched to another. Even though it's not the same as taking a break, switching to another subject is refreshing and helps to stave off that "burnt out" feeling. If you really need to take a break, though, take yourself away from your work for a few hours and come back. It's better to study focused for 4 hours than to study halfheartedly for 10 hours. This being my second tip for midterm week: COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR BODY.
3) Caffeine does work miracles when needed, but the best way to stay focused, fresh, and at the top of your game is to get sleep, eat healthily, and exercise. I'm sure this sounds cliche because everyone says it, but having yoga before a Physics lecture and eating cottage cheese instead of that brownie has definitely made me feel more awake, focused, and calm. Drinking caffeine a lot and eating junk food to take the place of sleep can not only make you jittery (and therefore, break your focus), but it's also horrible for your body and its effects are short-term. This being the conclusion of my 3rd piece of advice: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT AND DO.
4) Midterm week gets stressful. It's understandable to start feeling inadequate, alone, and feel like you're on an emotional roller coaster. I have been there; we all have. The best advice I have for you is from a quote of Gandhi that I now try to live by and that was actually relayed to me by my yoga instructor: "Keep your beliefs positive because your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, and your values become your destiny."
This concludes my midterm tips for all of you:). Just to reiterate them 1)FOCUS 2)STAY IN TUNE WITH YOUR BODY 3)TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY AND MIND and 4)STAY POSITIVE.
P.S. TRY YOGA!!!:)
GO BEARS!
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