It's that time of year again when finals loom and assignments begin to conglomerate into a massive pile of work. For anyone, this can be stressful. But it is especially anxiety invoking when you are trying to balance your mental health, physical health, friendships, relationships, and jobs. I can personally attest to this feeling of being overwhelmed. It's not enjoyable, to say the least. Here are some tips on how to push through to the end of the semester without sacrificing your sanity:
It may be tempting to pull an all-nighter and finish a project. I'll admit, I have done this. But in the long run, it can be detrimental to your health. In fact, it may even harm your grade instead of helping it. A study from St. Lawrence University suggests that lack of sleep and lower test scores go hand in hand. It may be better for your health to get a good night's rest instead of poring over information until dawn. Avoid the lure of an all-nighter, and instead do thorough work before you sleep.
Eat healthy
Another provocative approach to studying is to remain inside your dorm and order unhealthy food. But again, this quick fix is not the best option. Researchers at Ohio State University linked students who frequent fast food joints to lower test scores. Granted, correlation is not causation. However, it is better for your overall health, including brain function, to eat a well-balanced diet. Here is a list of brain foods compiled by a nutritionist.
Take time for yourself
If you're like me, you feel guilty for not using every available moment to cram for finals. But mental health is important as well. It is vital that you take care of yourself, whether that be by taking a relaxing shower, lying down for a short nap, or watching your favorite TV show. As the president of the ACT board says: "Relax. Tests don’t define us, nor do they determine our future. They inform our decisions and reflect achievement to date. Results can change as you learn more. You hold the power, not the tests; you control your learning."
As you go into the final stretch of this semester, I wish you the best of luck in your exams, papers, and projects. Remember, you are worth more than your GPA. In the long run, you will remember your relationships and college experiences more vividly than a bad score on a test. Study hard and do well, but recognize that at the end of the day, you are more than a test score on a scantron. Here's to the end of the semester and the relief that comes afterward.
