By Gayathri Thelekatt

Midterm weeks are undoubtedly stressful, and between pulling all-nighters in the library and reading hundreds of pages worth of course material, students may let their mental health take a backseat. This article will discuss the numerous resources Fordham provides for its students, as well as useful tips and habits that will make these upcoming midterm weeks a little more bearable. Fordham students are fortunate enough to be able to rely on the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). CPS is a free and confidential service located in the O’Hare Hall basement, where students are able to walk in or call to schedule an appointment. CPS offers short-term counseling and group counseling; the professionals who are in these services are able to help students locate therapists outside the university for long-term counseling. Whether students are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, depressed or just in need of someone to talk to, CPS is a great resource.

In addition to the year-round services of the Counseling and Psychological Services, during midterms CPS offers a special program, Stress Busters, a nationwide project that aims to help college students deal with the pressures of exams. At Fordham, students are trained to give “magical back rubs” to other students as a means of releasing tension. Make sure to download the Stress Busters app onto your phone in order to keep up with other useful tools that will help handle the stress of midterms.

CPS is a great resource to utilize in the coming weeks. However, sometimes students need not look further than their own dorms to help keep their mental health in check. Check out your dorm’s bulletin boards for any flyers from your RAs or RHA for activities and programs that aim to help students deal with the stress of exams.

In addition to Fordham’s resources, small adjustments to the way that students study can help students deal with their stress more efficiently. For example, taking a few minutes to organize one’s notes and study area will make it easier for him or her to remain focused. A clear work space leads to a clear mind.

Creating a schedule or making a to-do list at the beginning of each day can help a student avoid procrastination and all-nighters. In creating a daily schedule, make sure to leave time for eating and getting at least six hours of sleep. In order to do well on exams, one’s body must be able to function at its best.

Take breaks from studying often and find time to relax, whether it is watching Netflix, listening to music or even taking a nap. According to Psych Central, taking breaks is necessary in order to better perform on the task at hand. After working for prolonged periods, an individual’s focus begins to weaken, but taking small breaks allows one to relax and be more focused when returning to work.

Studying in groups can also be beneficial to both exam grades and mental health. During midterms, it is easy to completely shut out the outside world and disappear into one’s laptop and notes. Studying with peers ensures social contact and eliminates the monotony of studying alone. Plus, study groups allow students to bounce ideas off of each other and to understand course material they may have found confusing.

Exercise is another great way to keep your mental health in check. Going for a quick run or a trip to the Ram Fitness Center allows students to take a break from studying and keep their body healthy. Exercising releases endorphins, chemicals that make an individual feel happier. Additionally, exercising creates chemicals in your brain that boost its ability to problem-solve and retain memories. So taking a break from studying to exercise will make students happier and make studying easier.

The next two weeks are going to be overwhelming. Getting an A on that test or trying to finish an essay in time may seem like the most important thing right now. Although getting good grades and trying one’s hardest is important, mental health should be one’s first priority.