It’s that time of year again where all of us college students are swamped! It feels like there’s an endless amount of papers to be written, presentations to give and final tests to take. With the pressure we all feel to succeed during this time, we tend to forget how important it is to take care of ourselves. It’s impossible to perform at your best when you’re burned out. By incorporating these self-care ideas into your finals week, you’ll be sure to succeed.
1. Catch Some Zzzs
When it’s finals season, sometimes we realize we know less than we should by the end of the semester. We think pulling an all-nighter is the only way to get a good grade, so we cram everything we need to know into on study session, especially when there’s more than one final to study for. But that’s far from the truth. When you’re sleep deprived, it’s almost impossible to retain any information. One of the best ways you can practice self-care is to get quality sleep each night. The next day you’ll be refreshed and ready to take on finals like the girl boss you are.
2. Cultivate a Night Routine
When you’ve been grinding all day long, it’s important to find a way to de-stress and relax. One of the best ways to relax at night is to cultivate a routine that can help you release all the stress from the day. It doesn’t have to be crazy extensive—it can be as simple as lighting a candle or putting on a face mask. If you really want to de-stress and have the time, write in a journal, take a bath or expand your nightly skincare routine.
3. Do One of Your Favorite Activities
When we have so many things on our to do list and so much to study, we deprive ourselves of the things we love. Take time out of your day to do one of your favorite activities or hobbies. Whether it’s going for a walk on your favorite trail, playing a round of Fortnite or writing poetry, finding time to do these things will make you feel much better.
4. Talk to People
Finals week tends to be a very isolating time at the end of the semester. Not everyone likes to study in a group or can at all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still talk to or see your friends. When you get stressed, just remember you are not alone. Everyone is going through finals week and feels the pressure to do well. Take a quick break and talk to someone. Call your mom or best friend for five minutes and talk about something unrelated to what you’re studying. It will take your mind off things and will put a little pep back in your step.
5. Treat Yourself
Treat yourself throughout the week because you deserve it! Did you finally take a big test after studying for days? Get a meal from one of your favorite restaurants. Treat yourself to the newest Starbucks holiday drink after a long study session. At the end of the week, you could even buy yourself that pair of boots you’ve been eyeing after all the hard work you put in.
Remember that your sanity and happiness are some of the most important things to keep in tact during finals week. Don’t put them at stake over a test or two. You want to be at your best to get the grades you’re hoping for. Practicing self-care will get you through the week!