The end of the semester is upon us. That means a lot of work and a lot of stress. Even if you are usually very organized or on top of academics, now is the time when you have too many projects, assignments and exams due in the same week. It’s bound to make you feel tired. During this week, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself, which can reflect badly in your performance at school. So here are a few easy ways you can look after yourself while keeping up with your deadlines.
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Remember to eat
You probably have a planner with all of your assignments listed down, maybe you’ve also set reminders in your phone to make sure you meet all the deadlines. But in this rush, a lot of students forget to have food. Maybe they’re too busy so they put it off, or maybe they just forget—but eating is necessary for your health. So, during finals week make sure that you have at least two meals a day. Set timers or ask your friends to remind you in case you forget.
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Sleep well
Most of us have an unpredictable sleeping pattern during finals week, some of us don’t get any sleep at all. But living in the library and pulling all-nighters isn’t doing your grades any favors. We know you have a lot of work to do, but you will be able to work harder if you’ve rested well. Maybe because of finals week you have an uncertain schedule but remember that you should get at least seven hours of sleep. Maybe you might have to go to bed at 5 am and wake up in the late afternoon, or maybe you take two short naps—whatever your timetable allows.
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Talk to people
This might sound odd but it’s therapeutic to be around people who have the same struggles as you. Most of your friends are just as overwhelmed at this time of the year as you are, so don’t feel bad about complaining to them about how many things you have due. Just getting the frustration out of your system will help you feel calmer.
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If you need help, ask for it
Sadly, finals week is the time when many students experience physical stress but are also emotionally vulnerable. If you are experiencing something difficult don’t forget to reach out to your friends and talk to them about it. Especially if you are experiencing serious problems like anxiety, suicidal thoughts or panic attacks—it’s best to seek professional help.