The (not so) most wonderful time of the year is here, and that is the dreaded finals week. Finals week and dead week before that are the two worst weeks of a college student's semester. It mentally, physically and emotionally takes a toll on all of us and sometimes, it seems like there's no light at the end of the most dragged-out tunnel. We are tired, sick, and stressing out about making the grades. This semester has been rough for a lot of people, and we all need encouragement once in a while.
1. Don't sacrifice sleep.
Please don't do this. You may have a lot of work due, and that's understandable. But when you loose sleep, it's harder to obtain what you're studying. Your body needs a break too, and you're not helping your body or your brain any. This may sound like a step you can just skip, but sleep is very important. You owe it to yourself to sleep.
2.Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.
This also means sleeping. But taking care of yourself in general is important. Finals week is an off week to begin with. Your usual schedule is messed up, you may have ran out of meal plan so you live off McDonald's and Taco Bell, and you drink all of the Red Bull you can consume. This may be quick and easy, especially during finals, but it can also be a hard habit to break. Being healthy gives you the strength to go through the week without practically killing yourself.
3.Grades may be important, but they do not define you.
Please take this into consideration. Yes, it is important to get good grades. Yes, it is important to study and not waste your time on “Netflix and chill.” But if you know you work hard and still don’t do as good as you needed, that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself over things that will not matter in 10, 20 or 50 years from now. Making a C or a D doesn’t mean you are dumb, or that you should drop the class, or hell drop out of college. It means learning from your mistakes, picking yourself back up, telling yourself that you can do it again, trying new ways to take in the material and learning that it doesn’t define you at all. You are still awesome with any grade you get.
4. It's okay to take a break from studying, but don’t over-do it.
Studying sucks. That’s no secret. As much as a necessity it is, we all need a break from it once in a while. You can take a 10 minute walk around the library or read a chapter in a good book. And if you have superior willpower, watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix for some good laughs, because you won’t be laughing as you study. But be careful when you’re on your break. Don’t get into the habit of saying “One more episode” or “One more chapter” or “Five more minutes.”
5. Everything is going to be okay.
I will say that again. EVERY THING IS GOING TO BE OKAY. It will be. You are probably stressed out to no end. You may have all of your tests on Monday. But please know that finals week is just that. A week. Not a full semester, not a year, and not a lifetime. It will pass before you know it and you (and I) will celebrate by getting a home-cooked meal and sleep. Look forward to that, and stay positive. You got this, and I believe in you.
