Igma Kadima! — How to Move Forward as a Warrior in the East

It is known to everyone that exam week is the most stressful week for all students. In the university, we go through the same thing during our preliminary, midterm, and final examination weeks where we are overloaded with academic requirements, and our physical strengths and mental abilities are being challenged. As a Red Warrior, giving up should not be an option. We can take a rest but we are to continue after.

Photo by Ramsha Asad

If you’re down for it, here are some tips that will help you to keep moving forward, especially during exam week.

1. Know your why. Ask yourself why are you studying and why are you taking your course. Why am I doing this? Your answers will remind you of your purpose. They will be your everyday motivation to finish what needs to be done and achieve your goals. They will push you to continue the things that you are doing. If you’re about to lose hope, remember the reason why you started. Always keep your eyes on the prize.

2. Establish a healthy study routine. Create a system that you can stick with every day where you can effectively study and take care of yourself at the same time. Learn to prioritize tasks and apply a study approach that works for you. Avoid studying all day without taking a break or pulling an all-nighter. While it is alright to study anytime you want, it is also important to take care of your physical and mental well-being. Your body needs sleep for your mind to function properly.

3. Celebrate your small victories. Don’t belittle the small things you’ve done. Small wins still deserve a reward and acknowledgment because they are also important. They are steps that take you toward the big goals you want to achieve at the end of the semester or in the next few years. They build the momentum that is needed to keep you going. Treat yourself every once in a while and be proud of what you have accomplished.

4. Forgive yourself for your shortcomings. If you didn’t reach the academic standards that are expected of you, or you have set for yourself, don’t be discouraged and burdened. You don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations. What matters the most is that you knew that you did your best. If you think that it isn’t enough, remember that it’s the best that you can give at that moment. Remind yourself that it’s okay to fail. Tomorrow waits for you to try again and outdo yourself.

5. Focus on becoming the better you. Remind yourself that you are still learning. Quit comparing yourself to others and do everything at your own pace. College can be scary but your focus must not be on your circumstances and the people who seem to challenge you. Your focus should be on becoming the better version of yourself. Aim for progress and take each day as an opportunity where you could learn and grow.

In college, we brave all kinds of storms no matter what course we are taking. We fall, we break, and we fail, but we also stand on our feet, strive, and conquer. We are not always defeated and we don’t always overcome, but in the in-betweens, there’s always the choice to move forward—to keep it up for our dreams and the ones whom we love. Academic requirements may slowly pile up, building a wall, but we are called Red Warriors for a reason. There’s always a way to break through. Igma Kadima!