For pretty much every student ever, this is by far the most stressful part of the semester. I can say that for me personally, finals week is pretty much always Hell on Earth.
Sadly, for many students, finals week is upon us. So here are some tips on how to get through finals week.
1. Make sure you sleep.
Obviously, you probably won't be getting eight hours of sleep every night. But it is very important to try and get as much sleep as you can. Sleep is essential for things like critical thinking and memory, so you probably won't do as well on your exams if you're sleep deprived. If you seriously need to cram for an exam, even a few hours of sleep is be better than none.
2. Take time for breaks.
Finals can be overwhelming. You have so much to do and not that much time to do it. With that said, it's important to not push yourself too hard. Make sure that you give yourself time to unwind. This doesn't mean you should try to procrastinate, but simply allow yourself to not always be thinking about finals.
3. Remember that your grades do not define your worth.
This is a super important concept and it is one that took me a long time to realize. If you don't do well on your finals, that's totally OK. It doesn't mean you are not intelligent or that you are a failure. Your worth is simply not tied to how well you do academically.
4. Remember that finals will eventually be over.
During finals week, it often feels like it will never end. But in fact, no matter what happens, finals will eventually be over. Remember that you won't have to worry about any of this in just a week. I also think it's a good idea to plan something enjoyable after finals. This will help you have something to look forward to.
5. Reach out if you are experiencing a crisis.
The darker part of finals that is often not discussed is that many students end up taking their lives during finals week. As someone who suffers from mental illness, I have noticed that in the past my suicidal thoughts have gotten much more intense during finals week. If you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, it sounds cliche, but please reach out to a friend or call the National Suicide Hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255. They also have a chat if you are uncomfortable speaking to someone over the phone. Don't worry that you're "wasting time," your mental health and well-being are far more important than your grades.
