Without a doubt, finals week is one of the most hellacious and stressful weeks of any semester. No matter which year you are or which college you attend, almost every person who has been a college student has endured finals week. The long dreaded 7-day lull can be a lot to take in, and can take a toll on students in more ways than you think. Although it is so vital that one nurtures themselves during finals week, aftercare post-finals is also essential to keeping yourself on track. Various studies have revealed that stress does not instantaneously subside; it keeps your cortisol raised for days to even months. The Cleveland Clinic noted that “cortisol plays a key role in managing your body’s stress response”. Just because finals pass does not mean our brains are ready to shut off just yet; it’s crucial that we give ourselves a little extra push in the right direction.
To understand more about how stress from finals can affect our brains, check out this article on Cortisol from the Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol?utm_
#1: Sleep
It seems that too many people underestimate the power of sleep. A good rest is one of the best ways to kickstart your finals recovery. Sleeping allows not only your brain to reset, but also your body. Stress and tension can often be carried in other places aside from the brain; sleeping is a great way to partake in full-body recovery. Now and then, no matter how ridiculous, we just need a 5-hour nap to recoup.
#2: Eat
The notion of being at college itself insinuates the idea that most are not eating the best that they can. Take advantage of your pantry and kitchen! Request your parents to make your favorite dishes; they’ve probably been waiting for you to ask. Food can do so much to heal the body, ergo, healing the brain.
#3: Read
Reading is a great option to keep your mind stimulated, but in a gentler way. Many take leisure in reading. It helps to relax the mind as well as distract. Being able to jump into any story can aid the process of decompressing from a week that has felt so stagnant.
#4: Watch Your Comfort Shows
I cannot stress the importance of a comfort show. Going back to your roots and rewatching your favorite show can be so beneficial for calibrating yourself. It offers a sense of home and self, providing a sense of safety after such a stress-ridden time. Comfort shows do a wonderful job of bringing one down to earth.
#5: Spend Time with Friends and Family
It is so easy to want to hibernate in your room after finals week, unwinding all on your own. Yet, there are numerous benefits that come with spending time with others, friends, and family specifically. Time with family can help to ease one’s mind. Friends will make you laugh until your stomach hurts, and you’ll forget all about if you remembered to add the “+ C” constant at the end of your solutions on your calculus final.
#6: Leave the House
This tip goes hand in hand with the previous piece of advice. After a week full of anxiety, humans tend to want to turn into vampires and shut down for a bit to recover. Although it may not seem desirable if you are tired, you must get out of the house. Standing your post in your room all day can be helpful now and then, but fresh air and nature often are the true cure.
#7: Enjoy the Small Wins
Everyone is trying to go back to normal after finals week, so make sure you don’t forget you’re not alone. Whether you cook a 5-course meal for your family or just take a shower, every win is important. After a week of preparation and hardcore studying, we need to give ourselves a pat on the back. All of the hard work needs to be credited somehow.
We all pour from the cups we fill, so we need to make sure we keep an eye on the water level. It can be easy to let yourself relax too much or not enough, so finding the happy medium is key to staying regulated after such a stressful time. There’s no avoiding the dreaded week, so we might as well deal with the aftermath head-on.