For about two weeks, half of the university can be found in the library at 2 a.m. The demand for coffee skyrockets and notecards are seen by the thousands.
Finals week.
For many college students, it means the difference between keeping a scholarship or not, the difference between getting into a school or not getting into a school, or the difference between finishing a class or having to retake it. It’s an incredibly stressful week, and as students, we only make it harder for ourselves. We cram, spending hours upon hours staring at a computer screen, and choosing another cup of coffee over a few hours of sleep. Instead of making finals week miserable by doing what we feel needs to be done in order to make that grade or pass that class, here are a few ideas to make finals week more bearable and make that grade you need to make without losing your sanity along the way.
1. Go for a walk.
Put down the chemistry book, grab your favorite sweater and get outside. Just taking even 10 minutes to breathe in fresh air and clear your head will do wonders, and you will return back to your books more refreshed and ready to finish everything you need to get done for that day.
2. Take a long shower (or bath).
I personally find that the familiar smell of my shampoo can calm me down no matter what day I’ve just had. Taking a shower (or a nice bubble bath) will warm up your body. Put on your favorite pajamas afterwards. A happy student is a productive student.
3. Journal
That professor you hate? Write about it. That final that’s stressing you out? Write about it. That essay that you haven’t even looked at that’s due at midnight? Write about it (or maybe jot down some essay ideas). You will release any negative tension you have in you that’s holding you back from. Trust me, writing about the professor definitely helps!
4. Take a nap!
This is so important! Sleep! Your brain cannot function without sleep, and no matter how many hours you’ve studied, you will not do well on a final going off of five hours of sleep over the course of a week. You need to sleep! Set the alarm for one hour to refresh your brain, and make sure you get sleep during the night.
5. Make some (decaffeinated) tea.
Okay so maybe you’re a coffee person, but let your body slow down before you go to sleep. Make a hot cup of milk, tea or coffee (without caffeine!) before you go to sleep to help your body release excess stress so that you can go to sleep quickly and sleep well.
6. Put on calming music.
Spotify has some rockin’ study playlists! From acoustic guitar covers to classical piano, they’ve got it all, and so does YouTube! Find one that you love and put it on in the background to help keep your mind focused.
7. Do a face mask.
This is really more for the ladies here, but men, we don’t discriminate! Face masks are the bomb because it only takes 10 minutes to dry, and between those 10 minutes you can take some time to yourself. Put on your fluffy Christmas socks and close your eyes. You’ll thank me later.
8. Light a candle.
I love candles! Candles change the entire mood of a room, and it’s awesome. Light a candle, it’ll help you with that essay too.
9. Read a chapter of a book.
Whether or not you’re a book person, books can take you to an entirely new world, far far away from macroeconomics and biology. Read a chapter of your favorite book and let it be your study break.
10. Clean your room.
You will feel 10 times better with a clean room. This doesn’t need to be some sort of deep cleaning, day-long thing. Just a few minutes to pick up enough clothes to see the floor will do wonders for your mental state. Returning from a stressful library to a clean room will immediately calm you down and help you sleep better (because remember, sleep is the key)!
And remember, you got this!
