Let’s admit it. Finals week can be pretty stressful. As hard as you’re working right now, just remember that taking breaks is just as important. If you’re worried about losing productivity by doing break time, don’t fret: Here are a few ways you can utilize your breaks in order to sustain, if not revamp, your study power.
- Take a quick walk outside.
-
Whether you’re currently at home, on campus, or elsewhere, it never hurts to go outside and take a quick stroll. Staying inside and studying the entire day can feel stressful and isolating at times. A walk outside can be a calming experience, allowing you to relax your thoughts as you look at nature all around you.
- Yoga and meditation.
-
You can take a quick breather by stepping away from your desk and doing a few simple yoga poses for a few minutes. Even if you’re just sitting down and meditating the entire break time, it helps you feel more calm and relaxed, which are two secret ingredients to better productivity.
- Quick chats with friends and family.
-
Even though many may recommend you to stay off of your phone as you study, checking your phone a few occasional times is not a bad thing at all. In fact, if your friends or family members have an urgent message to send to you, it is important that you check your messages every once in a while to make sure you’re in the know. Other than checking in with the people you keep in contact with, be sure to set aside other more trivial distractions, such as social media and games.
- Listening to music.
-
To me, music has been a pivotal motivator for my study routines. Whenever you feel like you need to step back from schoolwork, you can make good use of your break by turning up your favorite song or playlist.
- Journaling.
-
Writing in a journal is a great way to organize your thoughts, whether it is about school or something else. Whatever emotion you’re feeling at the moment, or memory that keeps running through your mind, feel free to jot everything down in a journal, without boundaries. In a way, it can feel refreshing to express your thoughts in words.
Whether you’re feeling extremely burnt out from school, highly motivated to study, or somewhere in between, remember that it’s always important to take care of yourself. Finishing up the semester with a healthy body and mind can be key to acing your exams. Use your break time wisely; you got this!