It’s the middle of the semester and the stress of tests and papers is palpable around campus. Pages upon pages of papers and hundreds of notecards are all we can think about. And who can blame ya? Midterms period is one of the most stressful times of the year!
So, before you start your C-level hibernation and downing coffee to stay awake, remember to think of your health and well-being as well. Is that all nighter worth a potential cold or is more Red Bull really going to help you focus over an actual meal or sleep?
Here are my tips and ways I stay healthy and sane during finals!
1. Go to the gym: Even if it is just for 20 mins or a half hour, you’ll be able to clear your mind of some of the stress and allow yourself some space from the library. If you can, try running outside or taking a walk in the sun. The artifical lighting of your study space isn’t good for you and that little extra vitamin D will go a long way!
2. Consume caffeine in smaller quantities: It’s hard to avoid your craving for caffeine when you have 30 pages of writing and an exam due in the next 3 days but overdoing on the substance can have adverse effects. That jittery feeling that takes a few hours to disppear is only amplified by stress and I know I don’t want to feel anymore anxious than I already do! Also, don’t forget to hydrate! Water is your friend during stressful times!
5. Sleep: Sure that extra studying in the wee hours of the morning may seem tempting but getting 7-8 hours before an exam is crucial. Without sleep, your brain just can’t focus. A simple sentence or thought that you’re attempting to convey on an essay test will be that much harder to formulate and even a basic math calculation may come out all wrong. It is not easy but sometimes better time managment is the key to getting that full nights sleep that can make the difference in your grade.
Good luck everyone! and Happy Parent’s Weekend!