Whether it be finals week, or any other week of the semester for that matter, sometimes you just need a little direction when it comes to coping with stress. If you're hopelessly lost in heaps of papers and overdue reading, you've come to the right place. Below is a series of tips designed to ease your study stress. Quit being a damsel in distress and follow this series of advice to get through your next round of finals week.
1. Study in 45 minute intervals.
If you're anything like me, you take well-deserved breaks after a solid 2 minutes because you're already feeling overworked. Unfortunately, all that leads to is unintended Insta stalking, and sooner or later, you check the clock and realize it's already been an hour. Instead, try studying for 45 minutes, with 5-10 minute breaks in between each interval. Make good use of that timer on your phone!
2. Take advantage of "no homework" days.
I get it. You finished all the assignments due for the rest of the week. Netflix is calling your name. Sure, you deserve some time to relax, but take advantage of this time to get long term work done. Take notes for the exam you know you have in a week. Get a head start and knock out some studying now so you have less to stress about later. Trust me, I do this frequently, and your future self will thank you.
3. Break down a schedule.
When stress is overwhelmingly weighing me down, I find that putting together a study schedule puts me at ease. I plan out what material I will study every single day leading up to the exam, and I promise myself I will stick to the plan. That way, I know I have plenty of time to absorb the material. It's much easier to avoid procrastination when you design a daily plan of action. This has drastically saved me from falling into a state of perpetual laziness before exams.
4. Exercise!
Most people develop the mindset that they should not work out during finals week because they have too much to do. If anything, this is the best time to exercise because it's the perfect way to reset the brain and de-stress. I find it most relaxing to go for a walk or run in between studying. It's a time to clear your thoughts and get some fresh air!
5. Don't doubt yourself.
One of the most important things to do is to reassure yourself, it will all be okay. Get sufficient sleep, even if you didn't get all the studying in that you intended on. Trust that you know what you know, you put in your best effort, and all you can do at this point is try your best.
Happy studying!
