Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s the time of year where college students try to avoid having mental breakdowns while preparing for finals. Trying to survive the last couple weeks of the semester can be stressful, but it is important to remember to take care of yourself and pay attention to your mental and physical health. Here are some ways to manage stress during finals.
1. Eat Healthier
If you eat food that is healthier for you, you will have more energy to study and do other things.
2. Exercise
If you get out and do something, you’ll have more energy later (combine with eating healthy for best results).
3. Take a day off
If you can spare it, take the day off and just hit your to-do list hard the next day.
4. Plan something fun to look forward to
Make plans with a friend or buy tickets to that concert you’ve been thinking about going to- or just think about all the food you’re going to eat over winter break. Just having something to look forward to will make you feel more positive.
5. Take breaks
Take a short break every couple hours when you’re studying to get a snack or watch a YouTube video. You can also use breaks to reward yourself after you finish a section of whatever you’re working on.
6. Make time for Friends
I meant make time for your actual friends, but hey, the TV Show Friends works too! Really though, take a study break with a friend or study together. You can bond over how stressed you all are.
7. Get Sleep
Even though all-nighters and last minute cram session might seem like a good idea, if you haven’t gotten enough sleep you won’t be able to think as rationally as possible and will probably make silly mistakes on your final. So go to sleep already!