It’s that time of year again, a period feared and despised by all students, striking fear in the heart of campus: Finals Week.
As finals week rapidly approaches, the stress piles on. From final projects to essays to exams, there’s an endless list of things to do and an endless amount of caffeine running through a student’s body at any given time during the day. Here's what to do (and what not to do) to be better prepared for this wonderful time of the year:
DO: Take breaks
A study conducted by psychologists from University of Illinois in 2011 found that taking intermittent breaks from work actually improved overall performance of the task, suggesting that working on the same assignment for a long period of time with no breaks actually hindered performance. So instead of forcing yourself to write that final essay in a 2-hour sitting or making yourself read 5 textbook chapters in a row, allow time for breaks – research shows you’ll end up being more focused!
DON’T: Pull an all-nighter
I think every college student is guilty of this one, but contrary to popular belief, staying up all night doesn’t actually help you. Instead of being groggy all night and fatigued the next day, go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up early in the morning. Lack of sleep has been linked to difficulty with concentrating and retaining information, which is exactly the opposite of what you want when cramming for finals. So don’t stay up those extra six hours to try and get more work done – you’ll be more productive sleeping during that time and waking up well-rested and ready to learn.
DO: Exercise
Not only does exercise help with stress, but it also releases endorphins, which is something everyone needs during finals. I know some people might think, “I don’t have time to work out during finals week!” but a quick workout may be exactly the break your brain and body need after being coped up inside all day. You’ll come back from the gym feeling less stressed, happier and ready to study so you can ace that test!
DON’T: Stress Eat
After hours of studying with stress levels through the roof and emotions running wild, it’s so easy to want to stuff your face with junk food. Even though that pizza or those large fries taste so good in the moment, junk food has been proven to cause you to crash, leaving you unmotivated to study and needing a nap. Resist the urge to shove your face with cookies and instead, eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and foods low in sodium and sugar. This “brain food” will help you stay focused and you won’t feel crappy or bloated afterwards as you would with junk food.
Most importantly, remember that you can do this! Confidence is key and if you believe in your abilities, you’re already well on your way to passing that exam, finishing that paper or wrapping up that project. The great thing about finals week is that it always ends eventually and before you know it, you'll be finished and on a well-deserved, long break.
