‘Tis the season! And I don’t mean Christmas! We’re getting closer to the students’ least favorite time of the year: Finals Week. The last few weeks of the semester is arguably the most stressful time for college students. As classes start to wind down we find ourselves buried under a pile of essays, projects, and tests. The stress that builds up most likely has you feeling like this:
And such stress probably will prevent you from effectively studying for finals-the very cause of your stress! So here’re a few things you can do to quickly de-stress yourself:
1. Adult Coloring Pictures:
I highly recommend this cheap and accessible way to relieve some stress. You don’t have to go and buy a coloring book. There’re many beautiful coloring pages available online or you can download a coloring app such as Colorfy.
2. Watch hilarious TV series or cartoons:
My boyfriend and I favorite TV show is Bob’s Burger and we watch it everyday for at least 2 episodes per night because I only started the series not long ago. A good laugh will make you temporarily forget about the mountains of work you have to do. It will also help you relax a little bit before jumping into the craziness of finals week.
3. Take a nap:
Seriously consider this! I’ve seen so many students who pull all nighters so many times, but little do they know, not sleeping is actually very dangerous to our health. In order for your brain to function properly, you need to let it relax as well. Taking a quick nap will help you feel refreshed afterward. Just make sure to set an alarm clock so that you don’t get behind your schedule.
4. Spend time hanging out with friends:
You don’t need to be going out to parties to de-stress. You can, instead, invite some friends over, play a couple of video games, watch funny movies, and talk (gossip) with your best buds. Having company will help you feel less stressed out. Being in the presence of your close ones can make you feel more relaxed.
5. Get some exercise:
Do you have time to exercise? The answer is YES as long as you’re organized. If you can plan out a schedule for studying efficiently then you absolutely can save time to hit the gym. You don’t have to do heavy conditioning, instead, maybe run on the treadmill. Some stretches are also beneficial for your mind and brain because they can relax you.
6. Create a playlist:
Make a playlist that’s full of your ultimate favorite songs and play them on a loop! It’s a good way to chill out, lift up your mood, and relax your mind. If you wish to study while having music, you can choose some melody and soft music to use as the background when you’re focusing on your study. If you don’t have such a playlist, you can always go on SoundCloud or Spotify and type “Songs for Study”.
Remember, you also need to schedule your study hours effectively and practice some good time management skills to successfully earn good grades on your finals. You should also give yourself some time to breathe and relax. By doing so, it is even more effective than constantly cramming notes into your head. Lastly, look on the bright side! After finals week, it’s going to be WINTER BREAK!!!