It’s that time of year again! No, not the holiday season…it’s finals week! For the next week, every floor in Cabell library will be filled to the brim with students who are sacrificing sleep, social lives and well-rounded meals in order to pass the final tests of the semester. Unfortunately, this time of year is when most students neglect their own health and well being in order to do well on finals, but it’s important to remember to take care of yourself. If you find yourself preparing for a 24-hour long library session make sure you provide yourself the essentials that will keep you happy and healthy during the most stressful point of the semester. Follow this library survival guide and share it with your friends to ensure that you’re all doing everything you can to get ready to crush finals while still maintaining your mental and physical health.
1. Water
Before you leave your place in the morning make sure you’ve packed a water bottle. Not drinking enough water throughout the day will make you much more tired and cause you to struggle even more. You can refill it on any floor in Cabell to keep your energy up throughout your time at the library.
2. Snacks that are good for you
Pack snacks that will do more than just fill you up but will make you feel better and more energized. Foods such as peanut butter and dark chocolate are easy snacks that will give you an extra boost when you start to feel weak. A sandwich, small salad or some kind of snack bar, like a Cliff bar, are all sure to get the job done and keep you pushing through.
3. Extra pens
There’s nothing more annoying than running out of ink in your pen or highlighter while you’re in the middle of your studying process. It’s a hassle to find another one to borrow from someone so just make sure that you have a good supply with you before leaving the house.
4. Money
Snacks are good for a little pick me up but make sure you have money, swipes or dining dollars so that you can slide over somewhere on campus to get yourself a real meal. Skipping meals is very easy to do during finals week but you’ll find yourself struggling much harder through your studying on an empty stomach. Having some extra money to spare on Starbucks is also a must if you plan on being there all night.
5. Blanket or cozy sweatshirt
For the really long Cabell library stays, being warm and cozy is a must when, or if, you allow yourself a break. Comfort is key in staying sane while in the library so wearing warm, comfy clothes is absolutely vital. This way you can stretch and relieve your restlessness more efficiently and you’ll be nice and cozy for the 15-minute power naps you allow yourself.
6. Chap-stick
Having chapped lips is just distracting. It makes you feel dry and gross and will make you more irritable while you study. It’s a small, simple thing to pack so just remember to throw it in your bag before heading of to good old Cabell.
7. Makeup wipe
Assuming you’re actually wearing makeup during finals week, some library sessions last well after your typical bedtime and you might find yourself passing out the second you get home. Do yourself a favor and take your makeup off early in the night so that you don’t forget to do so once you get home.
8. Phone charger, laptop charger and headphones
This seems obvious but forgetting any of these three essentials is absolutely heart breaking. Borrowing other people’s chargers or headphones is a last resort. It gets complicated when you both need it, but the whole situation is completely avoidable. Leave yourself a reminder somewhere in your house so you remember to pack these essential items before heading out.
9. Advil or other type of pain reliever
It’s very easy to get a headache after spending consecutive hours in the library staring at a book or computer screen. It’s difficult to get anything done while suffering from a headache or the back pain that’s a result of the ancient chairs in the old sections of Cabell so remember to pack these bad boys to relieve (some of) your pain.
10. Friends
Squad up at the library and be each other’s motivation to keep pushing through. Keep each other sane by taking quick one to two minute breaks to unwind and then help each other get back on track. Look out for each other during finals week and make sure all of your friends are doing okay during this very stressful time.