FINALS ARE COMING!! …and they’re coming with the sheer force of a thousand suns (see above for reference), so you better get ready. (Especially those seniors who are grinding to finish their thesis!)

Unfortunately, it seems that there are always 5 projects, 3 papers, and a handful of other assignments that are due just before finals start, so you can never really prepare as much as you would like to. If it feels like you’ve been absorbed by that rickety library chair that you’ve been sitting in for 8 hours and coalesced into some sort of half chair-half human lump of stress, it’s probably because you have. We’ve all been there before.

We can all agree on the importance of putting your best efforts into your schoolwork and not slacking off, but often times we become so consumed by our work that we forget about ourselves. I’m certainly guilty of it. There are weeks filled with little sleep, no exercise, poor eating habits, endless caffeine… you know what I’m talking about. By the end of it you’re delirious and have no clue what just transpired over the past couple days or weeks. It may come as no surprise, but that is TERRIBLE. Terrible for you. Terrible for your grades.

I read a post on Facebook the other day that really gave the perfect metaphor for this – “it’s like trying to pour from an empty glass.” When you wear yourself down mentally and physically you simply won’t be able to function. You won’t realize it because your brain is going to be part of that whole “not-able-to-function” category, but that definitely does not mean you’ll be functioning properly. So when you find yourself staring blankly at your notes, thinking about why they are called strawberries if they’re not actually berries (look it up), realize that you need a break.
I’m not saying it is an easy thing to do, but don’t let your work grind keep you from maintaining your mental and physical health. Accept that moment when you realize your productivity is at an all-time low, and use it as a chance to go on a run (all it takes is 30 minutes) or to get into bed early. Put your work out of sight and out of mind, and spend a little bit of time on you. That will benefit you much more than drinking three cups of coffee and pinning your eyes open in an effort to continue working.

SO, remember… you are important, you deserve some you-time, and may the odds be ever in your favor.