Finals are the worst time of the year, especially for college students. Depending on your major and classes you are taking, you may have as many as 7 finals all in one week! This can be such a time of stress and anxiety for every student’s life. But there are tips and tricks to destress and help yourself get through the toughest week of the semester!
1. Sleep
It is very important to get sleep during finals week. I know staying up and pulling all-nighters to study may sound like the best option, but trying to perform at your best during the exam with absolutely no energy will get you nowhere. Without sleep, you will not be able to focus during the exam and perform at your highest potential. It is important to get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep, so prepare as much as you can, set alarms to wake up on time, and get to bed at a decent hour!
2. Brain Food
Your body and mind need energy to perform well for all your exams, so eat up! This doesn’t mean greasy, unhealthy food either. Eat your fruits and veggies to help your brain and body power through these exams and study periods. Also, it is best to eat 3 meals a day, especially breakfast! Sitting there, during the exam, feeling hungry, will only distract you. During this week, eat healthy and eat enough to keep you going, and bring your snacks and coffee to help you along the way.
3. Meditation/Relaxation
It is always important to set aside time for yourself to relax. This is a week of stress, and too much stress can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. Set aside increments of 30 minutes throughout your day to relax, do what you love, take a nap, meditate, or do yoga. If you’re a gym rat, take your stress out over exercise. Overdoing yourself, especially during finals week, will only exhaust you.
4. Be Social
It is also important to surround yourself with friends and family. Don’t isolate yourself. Be open and talk to people about your stresses and how you’re feeling. Also, stay off your phone. It helps to be with people and live life off social media, especially for this week. Know that it is also okay to seek help if you’re overwhelmed. The counseling center at your school or professors are always available to help you.
5. Study, of course!
Organize your time wisely and set a schedule for which subjects you will be studying on what days. Make studying fun by rewarding yourself throughout the material. Focus and find how you study the best. If group studying is for you, gather friends and make sure you all stay focused. On the other hand, if studying alone benefits you more, find a quiet, secluded place to study. Good luck!