When life feels urgent, I’ve learned the most important thing I can do is slow down on purpose. Finals week is when my stress is at its peak, and I feel constant pressure to stay productive. I used to think managing stress meant pushing through it or counting down the days until the quarter ended. Instead, I’ve come to realize how important it is to build balance into the chaos. For me, that looks like finding small moments of stillness. These moments don’t take away from the workload, but change the way I carry it. Whether it’s spending time doing the things I love most, or making the phone calls that help me regain perspective, these rituals keep me from getting overwhelmed. They remind me it doesn’t have to be about “getting through the week,” but rather moving through it with intention.
My favorite ways to break up the studying:
Putting It on Paper: Journaling
One of my favorite ways to organize my thoughts is by journaling. It helps me separate what I actually have to do from the noise of overwhelming thoughts. When I write down what I actually have to do, it stops feeling abstract, and I can physically see what is manageable. From there, I can break it down into steps: what’s urgent, what can wait, and where I should begin. Once it’s on the page, it becomes something that doesn’t have to live in my head anymore. It’s something I can organize rather than something that controls me.
Staying Connected: Calling Family
Staying connected with family when I am stressed is very important to me. The stress feels lighter when I speak it out loud, and talking to the people I love and trust the most about what’s going on in my head brings me a sense of peace. Even a short conversation shifts my perspective. My mom always knows what to say and when to say it. She has a way of pulling me out of whatever spiral I’ve created with my own thoughts. Sometimes I don’t even need advice; I just need the reassurance that I am supported.
Being Outside and Moving the Stress Out of My Body:
Spending time outside is one of the fastest ways I calm my mind down when I am feeling overwhelmed. I have recently started surfing, and it is one of my favorite things to do, whether it’s before or after a stressful day. Getting in the water and focusing solely on what set of waves is coming in next and where I should be keeps my mind off what is going on in school. It forces me to be present.
Another way I relieve stress is by spending time outside and going on walks with my friends. Being outside in the fresh air and feeling the sun on my face is one of the biggest rewards after being inside, attached to my computer. Going outside to talk or think through my stress makes it feel a little lighter. Walks are quick things I can do when I’m feeling stressed before I get back to work. Prioritizing movement is so important to me during finals week so I can find moments to break away from hunching over my laptop.
My favorite reward after a long day of studying is hot yoga. It’s like a treat after hours of staring at a screen. Walking into the heated room and laying on my mat helps my body loosen, and the structured class gives me something to follow and completely takes my mind off everything stressful. My main focus is my breath, my balance, and the next move. It’s the only place where I actually can’t be in a rush, and it makes me feel physically and mentally lighter. It’s a good reminder that taking care of my body is just as important as taking care of my mind.
A Creative Reset: Watercoloring
Watercoloring is something new I’ve started this year, and it’s one of my favorite things I do. One of my best friends gifted me a watercolor book and palette for my birthday, and it was my favorite gift. I love to paint outside because it forces me to be present with myself. It’s something that slows me down and resets my headspace. It helps me reconnect with my creative side, and it’s such a simple activity that brings me so much peace.
Practicing Stillness: Watching the Sunset
I have always loved watching the sunset at the end of the day. It is such a simple way to practice being still and lets me sit with my thoughts while watching the sky color shift. Finding times of stillness when I am stressed is so important because stress thrives on constant stimulation, and when I am stressed, my instinct is to constantly keep moving. The sun sets every day, and it is a set time when I have to stop what I am doing and go outside. This pause in my day helps me regulate my emotions and improves my focus when I sit back down at my desk.
These small moments remind me that even in the chaos of school, there is still structure if I choose to create it. They force me to pause when I need it most. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, I return to my work clearer, calmer, and better able to focus. Finals week will always be intense, but intentionally planning small pockets of time for myself makes it feel manageable and, in many ways, meaningful.