Finals week.
These two words are enough to send the majority of a college campus into an unintentional self-induced panic. This week is a sleep-deprived roller coaster. Between late night cramming, packing for the upcoming break, morning cramming, spending time with friends, and cramming between classes, we college students become overwhelmed. With this strain comes the desire to drop out and do basically anything but continue our educations in this way. It is important to combat these wishes and take some time for ourselves to renew our motivation so we can not only pass our finals but keep a healthy emotional state along the way.
The following are ways to combat the stress forced upon us by finals week.
1. Take a bath.
Spend some time just chilling in the tub. DO NOT THINK ABOUT YOUR TESTS! Shut your mind off and relax!
2. Drink some tea. Or hot cocoa.
Or whatever else suits your fancy. Just give yourself a treat.
3. Color a picture.
Doodling, painting, and coloring are GREAT ways to destress! Bright colors on paper are also great stimulation after staring at your textbooks or laptop screen for hours.
4. Run.
Or participate in some other form of exercise. Exercise is good for you in and of itself, but it is also a great way to get your mind off of tests and everything else that's going on. You also will feel accomplished afterward and any boost in mood is an encouragement.
5. Interact with a dog. Or a child. Or a baby.
This is self-explanatory unless you dislike the above things. If that's the case, ignore this tip.
6. Call your mom.
Parents love surprise phone calls. It will not only make her day but could help you feel better.
7. Eat.
Food is one of the greatest physical comforts this earth has to offer.
8. 30 Second Dance Party.
Meredith and Christina of Grey's Anatomy definitely knew what they were doing when they started these. Take thirty seconds to blast the most fun music you can find and shake off all of the stress that has accumulated over the last semester. Repeat as many times as needed.
9. Distract yourself. But set a timer.
Take some time to surf Pinterest, Tumblr, Youtube or whatever else floats your boat, but set a timer so that you don't waste your day away on social media. You may need a break, but you still have tests to study for and take.
10. Spend some time with friends.
Socialize! Depending on where you all live, this is the last time you will be able to spend with these people for a few weeks as you go your separate ways for the break.
11. Make a change of scenery.
Go outside. Go to a coffee shop. Get out of your room. Get out of the library.
12. Retail Therapy.
Get yourself a gift. We are college students which sometimes means we are poor, but even a small chocolate bar is a sufficient present for yourself.
13. Pray.
Don't let your grades become an idol. Spend some time with Jesus.
14. Remind yourself of why you are here.
There is no better motivator than reminding yourself of what it is you are working toward.
You can do this! You have made it this far, and you will make it through this week.
Then you have a few weeks for hibernation before it starts all over again with another semester.
