A Midterm-Taker's Guide to the Perfect Study Break

Any college or high school student knows how stressful the mid-to-late October stretch is in the Fall semester. It's when tests, projects, papers and quizzes start to build up and stress is at an all-time high. As a pre-med student, I know just how hard this time of the year is, but I try to take time out of studying to relax and rejuvenate. I think it's important to take some time for yourself while also focusing on your studies! These are some study breaks I've taken this midterm season, and I encourage everyone should try to take a little time off as well!
My favorite study break involves my favorite pastime: eating! New York is one of the culinary capitals of the world, so my friends and I love to take advantage of the amazing food that we can find in our area. Arthur Avenue is a Fordham favorite, so we always like to explore the restaurants and bakeries around the area. Cannolis from Madonia Bakery on Arthur are one of my favorite treats if you ever want to "treat yo' self!" My friends and I also love to go to brunch in the city. Last week we went to Jack's Wife, Frieda in Soho. I would definitely recommend it!

Brunch from Jack's Wife, Freda in Soho

In the city that never sleeps, there are infinite things to do. My friend, Matt, and I found out that our favorite Instagram dog celebrity, Marnie the Dog, was having a meet and greet in Greenwich Village. We decided to take some much deserved time off from studying and go. We got to meet Marnie and take a picture with her, which was so much fun!

Matt, Marnie the Dog and I!

Although midterms is a stressful time of the year, it's still very important to take time to yourself, explore the city and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage (especially before the winter!).

Weekend Update

The beautiful Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge Park

Amy Caffrey

After a long week of midterms, some friends and I decided to relax by heading downtown and taking a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, one of our favorite things to do! We hung out in the Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, and stayed long enough to see the beautiful view of the city skyline at night across the water.

Foster the People at the United Palace Theatre

Matthew Calhoun

Kicked off the weekend Friday night by going to see Foster The People preform at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, one of the most beautiful venues I've ever been to. The next day was spent with friends shopping and dining in Chelsea and SoHo, two of the coolest neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan. Sunday was dedicated to wrapping up schoolwork and studying of course, but not too bad for a weekend that flew by!

One of the Botanical Gardens' picturesque trails

Victoria Cappucci

With fall in full bloom here at Fordham, I decided to unwind this Sunday for a walk through the Botanical Gardens. The gardens are always a great way to de-stress before and after midterms, which we could all use during this time of year! And the best part is that it's free for Fordham students. Go rams!

The choir gathers for one last rehearsal

Kate Callahan

This Sunday, the Fordham University and Women’s Choirs presented their annual fall concert. These groups, which are made up of students from both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, come together a few times a year to perform for the Fordham community. Both choirs put on impressive shows and are looking forward to the Festival of Lessons and Carols, one of Fordham’s most exciting holiday traditions!

Running Off Stress

With midterms finally over, there is a definite need among the student body to unwind and give their minds a break. Being on the track team here, it is nice to have an outlet for stress and a get away from the bustle of studying and busy life on campus. On Saturdays for practice we get the chance to go to Van Cortlandt Park, which is only about 2 miles from campus. Van Cortlandt is a great open space in the middle of the Bronx with different trails and a wooded area. The hilly trails provide a perfect practice space for the team, and it’s nice to be able to run in such a scenic park that is so close to campus. 

Practice at Van Cortland after a busy week!

My roommate, Shanna, is also on the team. This week, she started an internship at Jozii doing marketing and working on their social media to expand their brand. So, she was especially in need of unwinding at Van Cortlandt! We are not in the same running group, but we met up after practice and walked around the park a little before taking the bus back. Waking up for 8 am practice on Saturdays is not always the easiest thing to do, but a morning run is a fun way to wrap up a busy week. After practice, some of my teammates and I went to Pete’s Café on Fordham Road. It’s always nice to get a meal off campus and change up the normal routine of eating in the cafeteria or our other dining options. Pete’s is great because there’s plenty of space to accommodate our big group! Enjoying the leaves changing and the scenery in the park along with a relaxing breakfast was the perfect way to start of a calm Saturday after a busy week!

Blog by: Claire McGonigle

Conquering Midterms-the Fordham Way

Amidst the fun times that college brings comes the stress around the middle of the semester known as midterm exams. Although the stress can sometimes seem unbearable to most students, Fordham's academic departments offer resources that have given me relief during this hectic time of year. With Fordham already being a medium-sized school, it is not difficult to seek help from your professors personally in preparation for midterms, but I have also discovered many of the other ways Fordham has come first in preparing and assisting its students for exams. From various practical study locations on campus to specific programs that each academic department has to offer, Fordham always has something to offer to a student who is desiring to succeed in their academics.

As an Engineering Physics major, I oftentimes find myself struggling to balance the workload from my liberal arts core classes on top of my major science courses. Luckily, many of the departments located on campus provide peer tutoring and group study sessions--unconventional ways of studying for tough exams. For example, the Physics department offers a “Physics Club room” in which students and professors gather in one place to assist others in tests, homework, or whatever it is they need help on. I find this to be a comfortable place to study, if going one-on-one with your professors becomes a bit intimidating. Plus, it is a great environment to collaborate with your peers in studying for exams that you might have together. Other departments like the Mathematics and Chemistry departments offer similar tutoring style rooms open for peer tutoring in preparation for exams. Sometimes, being able to talk about your exams with your peers in this situation already helps in relieving the stress that midterms bring, so I am definitely grateful for discovering that part of Fordham and highly encourage others to take advantage of it as well!

The Physics "Club Room" in Freeman Hall where students can study together and receive tutoring.

Another helpful tool that many Fordham students use, especially around the impounding swarm of midterm papers, is the English department’s writing center. For a paper to get better, it sometimes requires another pair of eyes to look over, and the writing center allows students to bring in papers ranging from Theology to English Composition and lets another graduate student take a look at some problem areas in the paper and to spend one-on-one time discussing the areas where a paper can get stronger. It is also really easy to sign up for an appointment online, and you can even request tutors that you felt really helped you in the revision process if they did!

A flyer for the Writing Center showing its accessible hours and creative ways to get students to seek help!

These are just some of the resources that I have utilized during stressful times like midterms and finals. The most fulfilling aspect lies in the fact that no matter what your major may be, Fordham will always have a place that will cater to your academic needs. Best of luck to everyone taking their midterms!

8 Simple Rules for Surviving Midterms

It's that time of year that appears to sneak up on everyone faster than a fall breeze. I'm talking about midterms. It's the midway point in the semester that never feels so midway but requires days of studying none the less. For some of you, this can feel extremely overwhelming and you may not know where to begin on those three tests and two papers you have. As a junior, I have been through four semesters worth of midterms and have comprised an easy-to-follow and stress-free way to keep your mind and body focused during this dreaded time.

Rule 1: Make a List 
Often times, the mere thought of everything you have to do is enough to make you want to curl up in bed and close your eyes until it's all over. This is also a surefire way to forget something. So, instead of relying on your crowded noggin to remember everything, start by visually laying out everything you have and want to accomplish. Doing this will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that no topic goes unreviewed. 

Rule 2: Space It out
The inclination is to study everything you've learned all semester at once and hope it all stays in your brain for the test. In reality, the best way to learn and remember material is to study little bits of something over a period of time. Switch it up a bit!  Plan on reviewing a chapter or two of a topic one day and then move on to something else. The topics will go a lot faster this way and it will also help you avoid getting bored of one topic and accidentally taking a siesta in the middle of Walsh Library.

Rule 3: Stay Motivated
Although it seems like a long process, remember that your goals are 100% achievable. Remind yourself what your working towards whether it's mastering that confusing equation or getting a good grade. In the end, you are the only one who can get yourself there so don't be afraid to give yourself that motivating boost to get yourself there. YOU CAN DO IT!

Rule 4: Nourishment 
Don't forget to nourish your mind and body with healthy options to help keep yourself thinking clearly! There are numerous places on campus that offer a variety of delicious food options. With all the new additions to the menu on campus, such as Cosi and Jamba Juice, it'll be easy to find yourself chowing down while you tackle that paper. 

Rule 5: Take Breaks
This may seem like an odd request, but ensuring that you take plenty of breaks while studying will keep you from burning out too quickly. Allowing yourself to watch an episode of your favorite show or hang out with your friends every now and then can keep your brain more focused than you think. In a sense, studying can be fun! 

Rule 6: Get Moving
Sitting and studying for long periods of time can quickly take a toll on your body. To keep stress and tension from building up, remember to move around frequently. With two work out facilities and plenty of field space, it should be easy to blow off some steam with a pick-up game of soccer or a light jog. 

Rule 7: Keep Calm and Carry on
Relax. Take a deep breath. If it is your first time taking a college test or your 100th, remember to keep calm. You've worked hard and know the material. No amount of worrying is going to help you in any way. Remember to remain confident and keep your mind clear. 

Rule 8: GO TO SLEEP!!
The most important preparation you can do for yourself is getting plenty of sleep. It may seem like a good idea to stay up for days and cram every power point slide into your brain before the big day. This, however, is not a good idea. Just like your body needs rest after an injury, so does your brain after learning so many new things. You will retain more of the information you studied after a good night's sleep. Waking up after an hour of sleep before a test is also not going to be very beneficial. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day...because they had to sleep at some point!

Surviving Midterms at Fordham

It's midterm time at Fordham! Unsure about how you'll make the workload transition from high school to college? FCRH senior Caroline Waldman shares her insider tips.

Campus Life: Surviving Midterms at Fordham: "It’s midterm week, and all of campus is feeling the effects – between late-night studying sessions, excess coffee consumption and resulting ..."