The end of the semester always feels very bittersweet to me — leaving home to go home, leaving family to see family, finals. Thanksgiving break gave me a much-needed reset, but if you are like me and only had to come back to school for nine days, it is easy to feel like you are slowly losing your mind, especially if you chose not to open your computer once over the break, which is something I may or may not be guilty of. With so much to do and so little time to accomplish it, the last thing you want to do is burn yourself out before your exams.
To stay sane and do well on your finals, I have three tips that will hopefully help to not only keep your spirits up over the next two weeks, but maybe even help build productivity and motivation before you charge into the war that is finals week.Â
1. Put on upbeat music
I adore melancholy music just as much as the next person; you can just ask my Spotify Wrapped. And with the recent influx of gloomy weather we have been having here in Storrs, Connecticut, it is tempting to put on Lizzy McAlpine or Phoebe Bridgers and let it consume you. But if you want to stay on top of things for finals week, the last thing you need is for that seasonal dark cloud to come find you so early in the winter. Something I’ve noticed is that happy, upbeat music really helps bring the vibes up while you are studying. Whether you are a pop girly or you listen to house music, as long as the tempo is fast, it should hopefully help to keep your dopamine up instead of leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
Some of my favorite albums that I listen to when I need a serotonin boost are Midnights by Taylor Swift, Who’s the Clown? by Audrey Hobert, and Addison by Addison Rae.
Each of these albums fill me with joy, and though they might not be the best choices for a study lock-in, they definitely will boost your mood. Get up and dance! I promise it will make you feel better, at least a little bit.
2. Create a rewards system
Something that really helped me during finals last semester was creating a rewards system for myself. This not only helped keep me engaged in my work but also gave me reasons to relax without feeling guilty about it. It gives you something to look forward to, especially after a long study session, and motivation to actually want to get your assignments done.
For example, say you set a goal to finish reading a in your textbook, and you reward yourself after with an episode of a show you are watching. Then, let’s say you complete a paper, and you reward yourself with a fun drink from Starbucks, and so on.
This is such a great way to keep the ball rolling and get things done because it gives you a routine to follow with carved-in breaks to ensure you are taking care of yourself. Self-care is so important in times like this, and I feel like we often forget that when we are trying so hard to pass our tests and complete our projects. If you don’t make time for yourself and find ways to feel good during finals, chances are you won’t do as well as you could have because you are so burnt out.
3. Vent Voice memos
We all know how much stress there is at the end of the semester, and most times, the best thing to do is just let it all out. Bottling up your stress will only lead to feeling worse, and as much as I love to vent to my friends, I know they are super stressed out with their own finals. Venting to an object, whether in your notes app, your voice memos, writing it out in a journal, or even to one of your stuffed animals, is an effective way to let out all of your frustrations without having to bother anyone else. It’s also super freeing because there is no one to judge you or give out unsolicited advice. Say what you need to say, scream it out, and then sit back down and push out that assignment like I know you can.
The end of the semester is stressful, but it is so rewarding. Doing good on your finals requires studying and self care. Push through the next few weeks and don’t forget to take care of yourself. You’ve got this.