How to unwind after the PSAT

in Features/Quizzes by
Juniors Sophia Hai and Naila Charania study for the PSAT during the six-hour final National Merit program crash study session. (Photo/Kayla Rubenstein)

After sitting through the PSAT, a test some dedicated students spent countless hours studying for, many will want to unwind and purge this experience from their memories. For juniors in the National Merit Program, the PSAT Oct. 16 marks the end of an era filled with staying after school for two hours at least two days every week. With this test now in the past, here are five ways to de-stress.

  1. Do absolutely, positively nothing. Once you get home from this half-day containing the stress of an entire week, completely disconnect from everything around you. Turn off your phone’s notifications, put on some comfy clothes and relax on your favorite resting spot. Perhaps read a book or finally start that show on Netflix you’ve been dying to watch but couldn’t because of lack of time.
  2. Go out with friends. One way of celebrating the end of this test involves spending time with those who had a similar experience. Spending time can range from eating at a favorite restaurant (calories don’t count after a major test, right?) to watching a movie, such as “IT: Chapter 2” to remind yourself test day could have been way worse. 
  3. Visit Smash the Rage. Located in Miami, this unique spot allows customers to destroy an object of their choosing. Simply don safety gear, pick a tool to demolish with and go to town, pretending like the object in front of you is the PSAT. Let out any pent-up frustration and/or anger in a safe, controlled environment. If you’re 18 or older, you can design the room with objects you would like to destroy. If you’re younger than 18, Smash the Rage offers splatter rooms instead. 
  4. Try a yoga class. If passively dealing with your emotions is more your style, check out a yoga class. Outside of being a good workout, yoga done properly allows for a cleansing of the mind and releases tension in your muscles. (If your hand isn’t cramping after the test, did you even take the PSAT?)  If you can’t visit a yoga studio, check out YouTube videos, such as this 30-minute yoga and mediation tutorial, of at-home yoga and meditation techniques.  
  5. Take a (very long) nap. Close your eyes and savor the feeling of no longer having this test looming over you. If napping doesn’t work for you, take advantage of the half-day and get any work due Thursday done so that you can fall asleep early. 

No matter how you decide to relax after this test, it’s important to clear your mind and focus on your upcoming priorities. Utilize the second half of Wednesday to unwind and get rid of any feelings of laziness in order to get back on track. After Oct. 16, you can put the PSAT in the PAST.

As a senior, Kayla Rubenstein spends her fourth (and heartbreakingly final) year on staff as Online Editor-in-Chief, Business Manager and Social Media Correspondent. Wanting to make the most of her senior year, Kayla serves as the President of Quill and Scroll, Historian of Rho Kappa and Co-Historian of NHS, while also actively participating in EHS and SNHS. Outside of school, Kayla contributes to Mensa’s publications and volunteers with different organizations within her community. An avid reader, Kayla can often be found with her nose in a book when not working on an article for The Patriot Post or developing a project for iPatriot Post.