The first day of the week of finals, I forgot my phone at school. I rushed back, saying frantic prayers to myself repeatedly as I walked fast, hoping my phone would be in the same place my absent mind left it. On the verge of a breakdown, I retraced my steps up and down floors until I found it laying on the wooden table, outside of the Hub, a place where student traffic is heavy. How did no one pick it up to take it to security or home with them? A bit frustrated, I was more than thankful to snatch it up, but even more grateful that students had the conscience not to walk away with my iPhone 7.
Now that I was back at school, I considered prepping for homework due the next day but, after leaving my phone, something I never do, I knew I needed to leave school. I knew my mind was nowhere clear enough to make rational decisions. I knew I was mentally affected by finals at SCAD once again. The stress that has accumulated throughout the quarter and has once again taken over in the end. I thought I would escape it this quarter, but it is unavoidable at this point. SCAD students know that stress comes with finals. If you are not mentally prepared throughout the quarter, it’s hard to make it through finals without freaking out a little. You kind of shut down – so much to do and so little time.
The fact that stress seems to overcome me every quarter, taking me on my regularly scheduled breakdown, I have come to realize in my final months here at SCAD that I’m doing something wrong. The best thing I can do now to prevent this from happening during my last quarter at SCAD in the Spring, is to change a few habits.
After doing some thinking and research here are a few things to start now:
1. Remember, you are not alone
You don’t go at it alone. Make sure you talk to someone, a friend or family member or counselor, and acknowledge the issue. In return check up on others too. You never know who will need a little encouragement.
2. Find your rhythm
A few things could be: Don’t let projects pile up because you want to spend time with friends. They’ll understand. Find what works best for you and your personal work ethic. In my case, I need to find a way to keep up with my homework and possibly work ahead, so that everything doesn’t pile up as the quarter ends.
3. Breathe
You are alive. You are doing the best you can and you got this and will make it through. Yoga and other breathing exercises are a super simple way to calm you.
4. Find a way to clear your head – this is important.
To be mentally healthy, you need a clear headspace. Things can pile up and clutter in your mind until you have no space to think or make the decisions needed to produce your best work. Meditate. Take a walk. Take a nap. Do something that does not take thought, giving your mind a break. Sometimes writing them all down in a journal without critique is a nice way to make mental space as well.
Related article: Get a Good Night’s Rest with a Short Nightly Workout Routine
5. Take care of yourself
Your body has a way of telling you when it’s reached its peak, when it can no longer function in its best way because you aren’t nurturing it. As difficult as SCAD students, try to get some rest, a few hours of sleep is better than attempting to run on none. Get some exercise, even if it’s walking away from your workspace, around the school or taking a walk outside; every little action counts. Go find your friends and laugh for a while. Laughing is something I do every day and a great way to relieve stress. A funny TV show can be a great way to both get some laughter in while possibly doing some work, depending on your work. Make sure, with all that coffee intake that you are also staying hydrated with water and getting enough food. Your body needs the energy so that your body and senses can be at their strongest.
We’re all in this together. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.