At the end of every semester is a college student's worst nightmare. Projects and papers are due, final exams are coming up, and everyone is planning on when to pack up and leave campus for the holidays or break. This specific time of the year is also known as Hell and Final's week.
Hell week is the week before finals are taking place, which the term captures the true essence of college life: Hell. Literally, everything you could possibly imagine is due. Projects, papers, presentations, speeches, and more. Final's week is of course when finals are taking place, but also when college students are trying to pack up and leave before the deadline to be out arrives.
And here at Columbia College and many other campuses, these two weeks of anxiety, exhaustion, and aggravation are here. With that said, may I make note of a few reminders for new and old college students:
Try to not procrastinate. It's a hard habit to break, but it essentially does make the end of the semester somewhat easier. Procrastination leads to a build-up of assignments, which then ends up being not needed stress and anxiety right before the end. Take note of all the assignments, projects, and papers you have to do and get them done!
Do not pull allnighters. If for any reason you just have to stay up for most of the night, take small naps and then get the work done. Your brain will love you for that. It's also more efficient, too. It's been proven to boost your "memory, cognitive skills, creativity, and energy level" (webmd.com). Small increments of sleep, such as 15 to 20 minutes, give individuals a boost in mental alertness and increase your brain's performance (webmd.com).
Take some deep breaths and/or meditate. Deep breathing and meditation exercises have been proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve focus, and increase efficiency of the brain (tmhome.com)!
Do not live off caffeine pills and energy drinks. Caffeine is great in small amounts, but make sure it's not the only thing you are consuming. At the minimum, eat an apple or pour some cereal. Once again, your brain will thank you! Living things need nourishment. Even if you feel dead inside from this workload, you are a living, breathing creature that needs nourishment. If you are going to take caffeine pills, make sure to read the label and take as it directs. Do not take more than what it says on the label!
Please take breaks from work. As satisfying as it is to finish something and be done with it, take breaks and come back to it. Taking small breaks in between increments of work has proven to increase awareness and proficiency in getting work done and correct. Even taking a 10 minute break from studying for 50 minutes is a good break for the brain and yourself.
Turn off your phone! For the purpose of having a good study session or working on a project, turn off your cellular device. It is only going to distract you more! Plus, you do not need the added stress that social media tends to put on an individual.
So, kick this worst nightmare of yours aside and win this year's Hell and Finals week! Finish those pesky projects and get some sleep in the same day! Take deep breaths and make time for some breaks as well! And, most importantly, make those grades! Preferably A's, but C's do get degrees!
Happy Hell and Finals week!
