Surviving Midterms: Study & Self-Care Tips for SPMA Students

By Eva Violin, Comms Coordinator

Published October 20, 2025

Midterm season can be one of the busiest times of the semester for university students. Between group projects, paper deadlines, and exams, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Sport Management (SPMA) courses, like any other university program, tend to ebb and flow — but midterm season is especially heavy. I’ve often found that reading week feels less like a rest and more like the calm before the storm. The good news? With the right strategies and some self-care, you can make it through this stretch feeling confident and balanced. SPMA Council has put together our top five plays to help you stay in the game this midterm season.

1. Plan Smart and Prioritize

Start by organizing all of your due dates and exam times in one place, whether that’s a digital calendar, a whiteboard, or a collection of sticky notes. Next, identify which assignments will take the most time and which can be completed more quickly. Breaking your workload into smaller, daily goals helps prevent last-minute cramming and makes the week feel more manageable. Sure, we’ve all been guilty of leaving things until the last minute, but mapping out your work and pacing yourself makes midterms far less stressful. Consequently, finishing tasks on your own schedule feels so much more rewarding than rushing right before that 11:59 p.m. deadline.

2. Make the Most of Study Spaces

Getting out of your residence building or off-campus living situation can be challenging, but finding a new study spot can help you separate work from home. The Brock University Library offers a variety of study zones. There are quiet areas for deep focus and collaborative spaces for group projects. Library hours vary throughout the semester, but you can always find the latest schedule on the Brock Library website. This week, the library is open until 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 p.m. on weekends, giving you plenty of time to prepare for midterms. For late-night study sessions, be sure to check which floors or sections remain open later into the evening.

3. Stay Connected and Reach Out

If you’re feeling stressed or unsure how to manage your workload, don’t hesitate to reach out to your TAs, professors (they hold office hours for a reason!), or the SPMA Council. Council members are always happy to offer advice, share tips, or simply listen—we’ve been there too. Even a quick message to a classmate to set up a study session can make a big difference! The SPMA community thrives on support, encouragement, and helping one another through stressful times.

4. Balance Academics with Self-Care

Don’t underestimate the power of rest. Taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep, and eating well are just as important as studying. Go for a quick walk around campus, hit The Zone (our on-campus gym), or take a moment to unplug from your screens. Even a short reset can help you refocus and retain more information. Sometimes we get so focused on achieving strong grades, submitting everything on time, and studying (which is excellent), that we forget to check in on how our minds and bodies are doing. Take a moment to write down your ideal “me time”, whether that's playing a sport, listening to music, drawing, or another hobby. Then, schedule it into your calendar just as you would for a lecture or study session. Prioritize yourself as much as your studies!

5. Keep Perspective

Remember, midterms are just one part of your academic journey. Progress over perfection is key. Celebrate small wins, like finishing a tough reading or nailing a presentation, and remind yourself that you’re developing skills that will serve you well beyond the classroom. As a teaching assistant, I can say that no educator expects you to be perfect. You have embarked on this academic journey in Sport Management to learn what you don’t yet know and to refine your skills along the way. Mistakes are natural and encouraged because they help you grow. Ask yourself: why expect perfection when growth is what I’m really here for? If I’m still learning, why would I treat myself like I should already know it all? If every mistake teaches me something new, isn’t that progress too? Why should I be my toughest critic when I could be my biggest supporter during midterms?

On behalf of the SPMA Council, we wish all SPMA students the best of luck this midterm season. Take care of yourselves, do your best, and remember to trust the process.

And yes, if you need a break tonight, you’re allowed to pause your flashcards for just long enough to catch Game 7 of the Jays. Playoff tension counts as “research,” right?

Stay tuned for more!