It’s that time of the semester every single college student has been dreading all year: finals week. Everyone hears “finals week” and immediately imagines the all nighters, loads of stress, and hours spent studying in the library. Not to mention filling your body with copious amounts of caffeine! Obviously, this is the typical way you prepare for finals. But Her Campus USF is here to give you tips on how to have the BEST finals week ever! Get ready to dominate collegiettes, because there is nothing like feeling confident, prepared, and relaxed before taking on those finals.
Plan Ahead: Make A To-Do List
Nothing feels better than crossing off something on what it seems to be a never-ending list of things to do. Make priorities for what you need to get done for the day. Try to coordinate them in time-sets so you stay on track instead of trying to fit everything on your to-do list in one day. This is a great strategy for time management and you will be right on track to a successful week of finals!
Prepare Your Body
Exercise has a huge impact on stress levels because it produces endorphins. Endorphins are your body’s natural pain reliever, so they play a huge role in reducing high levels of stress. Take 30 minutes out of your day to go for a walk at Golden Gate Park, or hit the Koret Center for a major one-hour work out! Luckily, the Koret Center provides free classes for students to take, including kickboxing, spin, and yoga. Working out will also motivate you to be productive and prepare your mind so you’re ready to focus!
Make “Me” Time
Some college students assume that finals week means selling your soul to the devil, but having time for yourself is just as important as preparing for finals. In between hours of studying, set aside an hour for yourself to listen to music, talk to your friends, or watch one of the shows we recommended on our Fall 2011 TV Shows article. If you’re feeling super stressed, get a pedicure or a massage! You can even bring along some notes to review while you’re getting pampered. Treat yourself for all the hard work you’ve done throughout the semester and remind yourself that the end is near!
Eat “Pick Me Up” Foods
You’ve probably heard this a zillion times, but we are here to remind you again. Eat breakfast! Skip out on the quick coffee and bagel. Have a real breakfast and nourish your brain and body! Include some protein, fruit, calcium, and vitamins in your diet. Have some oatmeal or a bowl of cereal with fruit. You can even make yourself some toast and eggs, but make sure you use wheat bread for that extra kick of fiber. Throughout the day, have 4 or 5 smaller meals. Try pieces of fruit with a bagel, hummus, vegetables, or a tuna sandwich. Studies have shown that eating smaller, more frequent meals spread out through the day can increase your metabolism! Also, be sure to stay hydrated. If you don’t supply your body with the proper amount of water (6-8 cups a day), it will be difficult to stay focused. Fruit juice, milk, and green tea are also good choices.
Get Rid Of Distractions
Distractions are incredibly deadly during finals week, so make em’ disappear! During study hours, you should say goodbye to three things: the Internet (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube), your cell phone, and the television. One tactic that’s worked for many college students is to deactivate your facebook account. Here is a list of website blockers that you can set for yourself to temporarily keep you away from those distractions. In the moment, you might regret going to such extremes to stay focused, but in the long run, it will pay off!
Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!
Be sure to get enough sleep during finals week. Your body needs around 6-8 solid hours of sleep in order to stay alert, feel well rested, and keep your immune system strong! You do not want to get sick during finals week. So in addition to exercising and eating right, do yourself a favor and get the proper amount of sleep.
Remember collegiettes, the end is near! So suck it up, tough it out, and put your game face on. With these tips, nothing will get in the way of you having the absolute best finals week ever!