The end of the school year is an exciting time filled with end-of-year events, ceremonies, and celebrations. But the end of a school year can also bring the infamous stress of studying for finals, attending said end-of-year events, and preparing to move out. Here are 5 tips I found helpful at the end of last year and would recommend to help manage your stress levels.
- Gradually move out.
As someone who severely underestimated just how much was really in my dorm room last year, I cannot recommend moving out gradually more! I know it doesn’t look like your room holds a lot, but actually taking the time to move stuff into bags and storage bins takes more time than you think it will. Also, you don’t want to stress yourself out more during your finals because you also have a whole half of a room to unmake. For me, cleaning up has always been one of my favorite study breaks since it allows me to take my eyes off a screen for a while and clean the physical space I’m working and living in. During the last week of class before finals week, I suggest tackling “areas” in your dorm. For example, I organized my desk area and put away any decoration items on the walls I wouldn’t be needing. I also put all of my winter clothes, game-day clothes, and special event clothes like long dresses into bags. If you create areas of your room to clean up/store first, it will make the entire move-out process less daunting.
- Donate or sell unwanted items.
Unless you have a friend or family member who could make use of your dorm items or plan to live in a dorm-style room the following semester, you will most likely not use the “dorm-specific” items or textbooks you have accumulated. I suggest selling what you can on social media pages or asking around if anyone would be interested in purchasing items. You can also sell items in a class or campus organization group chat. Groups on your campus might even have social media pages dedicated to selling dorm furniture. And, if selling doesn’t work, always consider donating what you can to local shelters and donation centers before throwing stuff away! It was a little scary to see how full the dumpsters behind dorms get on the move-out day with perfectly useful furniture. Also, remember to return any rented books to avoid paying non-return fees!
- Make a study plan.
Finals season is notorious for a gross amount of work, studying, and finishing final projects. Making a plan can help you manage your time, sleep, and mental health. I was taught how to make a study schedule in 6th grade and have made one for finals ever since. It doesn’t have to be fancy. I usually always make mine on some computer or notebook paper. You can choose how early to make these schedules, depending on how many days you would like to review material before the exam. First, I write down the dates, times, and locations of my finals in a calendar/planner. Then, I plan what subject I will be studying on what dates, what I plan to specifically review and practice, and how long I plan to do so. Of course, this is a very flexible schedule and will most often change based on what I actually get done. However, I think the most valuable part of this study plan is that I block out time for each class I have to study for and, have a record of what I’ve already reviewed. You can customize this plan however you like- just make sure you actually make time to sit down and study!
- Rest!
Yes, this is a stressful time. Yes, you should try your best on your exams. But, these are just tests and your well-being should be your first priority. These are tests, not measures of your self-worth. Prepare so you feel confident, but remember that a letter on a piece of paper does not determine who you are. Prioritize your sleep and breaks just as much as your study time!
- Make time for fun.
Last year, I ignored all of the fun end-of-year events my campus puts on and did not carve out time for friends. It may seem like you have to use every single minute of your day to study, but only focusing on studying for more than 3 straight days quickly made me extremely burnt out, even before actual finals week. This is the end of the year and you should celebrate your accomplishments! So make time for friends and fun activities if you can- it’s a study and mental break in one! However, remember it’s ok to prioritize yourself and don’t feel obligated to do absolutely everything in these last couple of weeks.