For most college students, finals are arriving soon if they aren't already here. Stress levels are high and people are wondering how they're going to pass the semester. Many of us, myself included, are struggling to find time to sleep; there's a lot of work to be done. So here's a few things to consider during the week before finals:
1. Don't abandon sleep.
I understand the necessity of completing an assignment - I've completed plenty of assignments in the wee hours of the morning - but the next day, or even the next few days, become much more of a struggle simply because your body doesn't have enough energy to handle day-to-day requirements. Not everyone needs 12-14 hours of sleep, but a solid 6-9 is advised.
2. Write our your exam schedule.
Even if you don't know what will be going on in-between the exams, at least the tests themselves won't be a surprise. As someone who usually only plans a few days in advance, this is one thing I take the ten minutes to write out so it makes more sense.
3. Go to class!
You never know what might happen last minute. We're all tired, but it's better to be tired in class and have all the information than sleep and have your grade suffer as a result.
4. Take a little time for yourself.
In the midst of all the insanity, make sure to take some time to wind down. It doesn't matter if it's just before bed or in the middle of the day; just use some time to make sure your brain doesn't try to give out on you from being overworked (been there, done that). Watch something online or play a game.
5. Naps are a gift.
Naps are a way to temporarily turn off one's brain and hopefully be more refreshed upon waking. There are some days that I would have crashed without one.
6. Friends can be a wonderful aid.
Whether they're helping you study or helping you get your nose out of a textbook, friends are endlessly helpful in keeping yourself alive during this anxiety-ridden time of year for entire college campuses. Game rooms, movie nights, and study groups are just a few examples. Get creative with your friends!
7. Frustrated? Video games.
Playing video games can provide a temporary escape and can also allow a gamer to release his/her frustration on a virtual world instead of someone around them, like a roommate or a S.O.
8. Try being creative.
Giving yourself a focus intensive outlet can help calm the nerves and leave you more refreshed when you readdress the subject of finals week. Painting, drawing, writing, or even creation in something a little more unique, like video editing or video game modding.
9. Don't cram!
We hear this all the time, but seriously. Trying to shove a bunch of information into your brain right before you're tested on it doesn't really help. That's another thing with writing out your exam schedule: you can decide when to study so you aren't up until 3 in the morning panicking (see #1 about the importance of sleep).
10. Remember: what's done is done.
Maybe you weren't a great student all year, but that isn't fixable. What is fixable is what's done next. This is also worth keeping in mind after the final has been taken. Sure, I wanna know what my grade is, but I try not to spend every moment obsessing about it because there isn't anything else that can be done once the paper has been handed in.
As we brave exam week together, hopefully some of these reminders make your week a little easier. And remember, school isn't the end all be all. So good luck to everyone!
