It's that time of year again: finals. They're quickly approaching, and most of us are probably feeling pretty unprepared. While the stress takes its hold on us, here are just a few things to remember.
1. Your grades do not define you.
Just like your looks don't define you, your grades don't either. If you do get a bad grade or you don't get the grade you hoped for, it doesn't mean you're stupid. You are more than what a written or oral exam tells you. "Don't judge a student by their grades" should be the saying.
2. Take deep breaths.
If you're close to tears or you're feeling like you're way in over your head, remember to take a few deep breaths. I know you've probably heard that a million times, but it really does help! The GIF above is what I use when I'm stressed. Breathe in as the shape builds, and breathe out as it collapses. It really does help!
3. Take a break!
This is important. Remember to take breaks. Remember to take care of yourself—eat, sleep, drink enough water. If you're doing all those things, great! But still take some breaks. Give yourself 30 minutes to an hour to do something you actually enjoy doing. It'll clear your mind, and you'll go back to the books with much less stress!
4. You're not alone in your ball of stress.
You may feel like everyone around is prepared and organized, but that's not the case most of the time. Generally, everyone is stressed all the time about finals. Just because they may look ready to take their finals by storm, they're probably freaking out on the inside.
5. You got this!
"But I have so many finals!" You got this.
"There's so much information. I can't possibly remember it all!" You got this.
"I procrastinated! I'm going to fail!" You got this.
In case you didn't get the meme: you got this.
6. Don't have a negative attitude.
As a wise woman (my mother) always told me, whenever she was about to make me do something I didn't want to do: "You'll only ever get out what you put in." If you're negative about something, it's going to turn out negative. Even if you think positive and it doesn't turn out as you'd hoped, you can finish your final knowing that you did your best (which my mother says is what really matters) and that you're one final closer to summer.
Chaos is coming. I'm not going to lie and say that it will be OK. Finals week is going to suck, but we'll all get through it. It's only a week, and what's one week compared to three/four months of summer? It's nothing! So hit the books and "just do it!"
Good luck on all your finals—may the odds be ever in your favor. Remember, summer is right around the corner!
