It’s the most wonderful time of the year… almost. Unfortunately, we first have to jump through hoops before we can get to the holiday season. There’s three weeks left in the semester and the worst is yet to come– the infamous finals week.
If you’re like me, you’re so stressed about your stress that you can’t even focus on the stuff you should be stressing about. I have finals in all my classes, a group project due in almost every class, and individual assignments to worry about. Oh and don’t forget about extracurriculars and working a part-time job and everything else that you’ve been juggling all semester.
But when you’re in college, this is inevitable. And we somehow always make it in the end. However, if you feel like you’re drowning in work, here are five ways that work for me to get you through the end of the semester.
Use your planner to set goals
I use mine religiously. It’s literally a lifesaver for deadlines and even just planning ahead. I typically write three goals each day– I write down my top three priorities and how/when I will accomplish them throughout the day. This may sound a bit obsessive, but when you have a million tasks at hand, it’s extremely effective in holding yourself accountable.
Set a “cut-off” time
I’m the type of person that once I start something, I want to finish it in one sitting. However, this isn’t necessarily the best plan during the last few weeks of school. Set a “cut-off” time, say, maybe 10 or 11 p.m. Even if you don’t go to sleep right away, take an hour or so to unwind with some Netflix or (if your eyes aren’t too tired) maybe even read a book for fun. Getting a good night’s rest is way better for you than cramming until 4 in the morning before the day of an exam.
Take a step back
“Pain is temporary.” I tell myself this all the time when I’m studying for hours on end. However, I’m going to contradict myself completely. How effective is this? How much am I really learning from all this studying? Take a step back from studying or working on that massive project for your anatomy class and go get coffee with a friend. Go for a run, do some yoga… Anything to get your mind off school for a bit!
Eat healthy
Meal prep meal prep meal prep. I can’t say this enough. If you think you’re going to have a busy week with no time to cook, make sure you have some healthy snacks to fuel your brain while you’re on-the-go. It’ll also help you avoid reuniting with your old pal, stress acne.
Do your best & practice positive self-talk
I probably sound like your mom by now, but this is crucial to remember. I hate walking out of exams thinking how I should have studied longer or how I didn’t give it my all. Remember that you were sitting in class all semester learning the material. And if you weren’t? Let that be a lesson and a goal for next semester. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Life goes on and I can guarantee a single exam isn’t going to make or break your future career.
So just take a deep breath. Relax. You got this!