Dear College Student,
Finals are upon us, and chances are your stress levels have greatly increased throughout the past couple weeks. However, it doesn't have to be like this. Believe it or not, it is possible to get through finals week without completely losing your sanity. I know it seems nearly impossible, but it is actually very possible. I strongly believe that if I can make it through finals week alive, you can, too. Here are a few tips to make it through finals week without going completely and utterly insane.
First, don't wait until the week before the test to start studying. I know this seems hard because we come from a generation full of procrastinators who feel as though we work better under pressure and remember things better closer to the test. However, if you start studying little bits throughout the month leading up to finals, chances are your stress levels will not be so high when it comes to take the test. Doing this will allow you to learn little bits of information at a time, which will help you to comprehend things better and feeling more confident in the test material than you would if you had a quick cram session the night before.
Second, don't spend all of your time studying. I know this sounds absolutely crazy, but it is important to remember to take time to yourself, or do something fun with your friends. Studying will always be there to pick back up when you are done, but taking time away from the books is important for your mental health and for your sanity. I promise, you will not fail the test because, you took a couple hours out of your day to go for a walk in the park or have some lunch with friends.
Lastly, have plenty of snacks. Snacks are important in every situation and make terrible things seem not so bad. When people get stressed out, they tend to lose their appetite and not eat. This is definitely not good for our physical health. It is important to remember to eat when studying. However, try and eat food that will fuel your brain rather than slow it down. I know carrots and granola bars don't taste quite as good as cookies and chips, but they will help fuel your brain, allowing you to focus on your studies.
Studying is never fun, but it doesn't always have to be so bad. When you're studying try to not get distracted by technology. Turn your phone off and set a certain amount of time that you are going to study, and when you have made the time limit reward yourself with a break. During these stressful times, try and remember to take a step back and look at the big picture. Take a few deep breaths, look in the mirror and say "I can do this." You can do this!
Sincerely,
Struggling College Student
