It’s that time of year again…finals. It’s easy to become run down with late night studying for finals and the hustle and bustle before the holidays, but it is important to remember to take time to care for yourself. You can find tips on time management before finals or things to do while studying to help retain information and keep you motivated in articles all over the web, but there are not a lot of articles that talk about the real priority here: you and your mental health.
It is key to remember that while it is important to study hard and get great grades, it is not worth becoming a walking zombie to achieve them. Along with pacing yourself and managing your time according to your individual schedule, below are a few other things you can do in order to conquer finals and come out looking like the princess you are!
SLEEP: I am sure you are aware of how important sleep is either from your parents or “health bloggers” on social media, but I mean it… sleep is important! I have pulled many all-nighters, so I do not mean to be hypocritical here, but sleep is so very essential to your overall well being. Without sleep, I never feel like myself. I feel more quiet and reserved and all I think about all day is wanting to crawl back into my bed. What I’m getting at here is, you are not really gaining that much more from missing sleep, as the next day or two all you will think about in your spare time is when you can catch up on your ZZZ’s.
MEALS: It is easy to set up camp in the library or in your dorm and study there for hours on end without taking a break. It is important to remember to feed yourself wholesome meals, as your body needs this for energy. I know you do not want to take the time to go and either make or buy dinner, but you will find yourself having more energy and the ability to retain information if you give yourself the opportunity to refuel. Remember, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, as it sets up your entire day.
BREAKS: This is a tip as old as the hills, however it is an important one. If you try to study for three hours at a time, you will not get ANYTHING done, as you will be distracted and therefore become frustrated. Instead, try studying for a half hour, taking a ten-minute break to online shop, check social media or do whatever it is you want to do and then return to studying. It is so very important to give yourself a break, for it is easy to get very distracted and frustrated trying to power through hour after hour.
EXERCISE: Exercising is an excellent way to release stress and a great way to clear your mind. If you do not like “gymtimidation,” you do not even have to go to the gym to exercise! Do yoga in your dorm or go on a walk around campus. It is nice to be able to totally distance yourself from your studies and listen to your favorite tunes while engaging your body.
INTERACTIONS: Some people prefer to study in groups and some people prefer to study alone. Whatever the case may be, it is important that we do not seclude ourselves so much that we lack interaction with our peers. Oftentimes, it’s easy to forget to dedicate time with friends, whether it is to grab lunch at a place like Panera, hang out in their dorm or go to a party. It is good to focus on studying and to decline partying every single night, but it is also good to be able to give yourself a break and enjoy yourself with other people. When you give yourself the opportunity to relax and hang out with friends, you are going to put yourself in a more positive mood and mindset.
WATER, WATER, WATER! It is so important to hydrate and drink lots of water at all times because when you are hydrated you will find yourself more awake and are less likely to get a headache. Also, finals can be a stressful time so it is common for individuals, women especially, to break out. Water cleanses toxins from your body, so it can assist during the time of a breakout and help keep your skin looking rejuvenated.
Point blank, take time to treat yourself right during this time of finals. You won’t regret it!