The Final Push: Midterm Week at Emery

In the final days before Winter Break, midterm week at Emery arrives in a bundle of nervous anticipation and determination. An often stressful and sleepless five-day affair, students and faculty alike prepare extensively for the upcoming exams in a flurry of projects, papers, and tests. However, amidst the chaos, students at Emery work to create schedules that help them study effectively without getting overwhelmed. “I’ve realized that I need a schedule that has lots of small breaks, which Quizlet is for,” says junior Lexie Rose. “I can’t be stuck at my desk for long or I won’t really focus on what I need to do.”

Many students use study apps to organize their tasks when studying, which helps them tackle one task at a time without getting overwhelmed. The adjusted exam schedule further allows students to structure their time as they wish, with half-days containing just two classes each day for the entire week. This shortened schedule gives students more time to study each day after school, and just having two classes a day allows for longer exam periods. “It’s so nice to have more free time outside of school to study. It’s so much less stressful. I don’t have to worry about studying weeks in advance because I have so much going on each school day,” states sophomore Ava Bybee. With an extended exam period and fewer daily commitments, many students can head into midterms feeling more prepared and less stressed.

Students relax on the Commons’ patio to make DIY stress balls during Wellness Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of The Emery/Weiner School on Instagram)

However, ways to de-stress aren’t found solely outside of school. Emery recognizes that midterms are a stressful time of year, and actively implements initiatives such as Wellness Wednesdays to help students decompress during break time, offering fun and relaxing activities such as stress ball making, hot chocolate and donut stands, cookie decorating, and therapy dogs.

These activities allow students a much-needed outlet for their anxiety and a chance to connect. “I love Wellness Wednesdays because they help me connect with my teachers and friends. It helps me realize that it’s not just me who gets nervous for exams,” says sophomore Hadar Sagiv. “It’s also so much fun to relax with my friends and have ways to cope with the stress of midterms.” Focusing on mental health during a demanding time largely impacts students, serving as a reminder that personal well-being is extremely important, especially during such stressful times.

As midterm week draws to a close and the holidays quickly approach, the collective sense of relief is accompanied by a warm goodbye from Emery students and faculty during closing ceremonies. Performances, jokes, and speeches send students into Winter Break feeling happy and accomplished, a sense that continues when classes resume in the second semester. While midterms are undeniably challenging, Emery’s sense of community and encouragement creates a more manageable experience that helps students feel resilient and confident despite the challenges they face.