Finals are upon us and it may be your first inclination to stay in the library all day and study, but that’s not always the best idea. For one, you may go crazy, but more than that, staying inside all day doesn’t let your brain recharge. The keys to minimal stress finals week is sleep, water, and exercise.
Sleep– Don’t leave your studying until the last minute. Cramming may seem like a great idea at the time, but you may freeze up during the test. If you haven’t actually learned the material you may not be able to think of the answer. On top of that, if you were up all night studying your brain may be slow, or you may even fall asleep. Kick the “cramming all night before the test” habit to the curb and plan ahead and get enough rest 2 or even 3 days before the exam!
Water– It may not seem obvious, but if you’re not drinking enough water the hot library may seem more excruciating than usual. What more, a huge pimple might pop up or you may feel uncomfortably bloated. Drinking water will keep you hydrate, keeping you alert and productive. So flush away the stress!
Exercise– Even with 4 finals you have enough time to get to the gym. Exercise will get your mind off that problem you’ve been working on for the past hour letting you go back and look at it with a clear mind. Thirty or forty minutes at the gym will also release pent up stress, wake you up, and clear any “writer’s block,” so you work at your full potential!
Don’t let the stress get to you. If you feel like your not making any more progress take a quick break to clear your mind and then get back to it. Less than a week until summer so take control!