I've been caught in the midterm marathon for what feels like forever — a month of exams in every class I'm taking.
As a first-year, this is my first taste of college midterms, and I'm taking a full 18 credits. Initially, I thought, “How hard could it be?” But after tackling Political Science 130: Introduction to Comparative Politics, then German 281: The German Idea of War and Mathematics 233: Calculus of Functions of Several Variables with an upcoming Economics 101: Introduction to Economics midterm, my early optimism quickly faded. Each week has become an all-out focus on a single class, making it hard to think about anything else.
I'm consumed with the fear of failure, spending every moment after class revising and waking up early to squeeze in more study time. I feel like I'm trapped in a never-ending loop of anxiety, even zoning out during other lectures, as my mind drifts back to the next exam. As if the stress wasn't enough, my skin is breaking out — not ideal, but here we are.
Research backs up how drawn-out exam schedules create chronic stress for students. These prolonged periods make it difficult to focus on anything else, leading to mental fatigue and impacting physical health. UNC's never-ending midterm cycle isn't just about academics; it’s about well-being. Maybe it's time to rethink exam schedules that feel like they're designed to stretch us to our breaking points. After all, a shorter, more concentrated exam period might just make room for a bit of breathing space.
Here is the plan I would propose UNC’s Educational Policy Committee to have for midterm exams:
First, UNC should implement a dedicated “Midterm Flex Week,” distinct from finals week, to allow students to concentrate on exams without halting all regular classes. During this week, classes would operate on a modified schedule, prioritizing exam time while maintaining some instructional continuity.
Flex Week should ideally fall around the midpoint of the semester, such as week eight. To make this feasible, the preceding week could serve as a “Prep Period,” allowing students time to review material without the added pressure of a full course load or major assignments, enabling focused preparation.
For courses that require multiple exams across the semester, Midterm Flex Week would serve as the period for one of these major assessments. For example, if a class has three midterms, the first could be scheduled around week four, the second during Flex Week and the final midterm in week 12 or 13. This structure ensures that exams are spread out evenly, giving students enough time to digest material between exams without overwhelming them as finals approach. Flex Week would provide the space for exams without adding the additional stress of juggling full course loads, offering a structured rhythm for classes with multiple assessments.
During Flex Week, students would attend classes on a reduced schedule, with each course meeting only once or twice in short sessions focused on review or addressing essential material. Since midterms are just as difficult and demanding as finals, they deserve the same amount of preparation time. Additionally, instructors of courses without exams during Flex Week could hold optional review sessions, extra office hours or group study sessions to support students as they prepare for exams in other subjects.
