Brace yourselves: Finals are coming. It's that wonderful time of the year where college students cram, cry, and repeat daily. But finals week does not have to be all that terrible. I've learned that it is much more bearable if you remember to stay healthy! Here are a few tips to make sure you ace your finals and manage your stress effectively.
1. Eat Healthily: It's very easy to eat nothing but junk food when finals roll around. No one feels like cooking, and that bag of potato chips is just so conveniently placed. But avoid it at all costs (well, you can sneak a few). Eating healthily is so important for your brain, and the benefits are tremendous. One of the benefits is that it helps your memory. It also helps you become more alert so you can actually focus on the stuff you're studying. And it doesn't even have to be difficult. Snack on things such as yogurt, grapes, raisins, and even string cheese (because who doesn't love string cheese?).
2. Get Sleep: Staying up all night may seem like a great idea, but it could hurt your test scores instead of helping them. Sleep boosts your memory and ability to learn. So be sure to try and at least get in a few naps here and there while studying.
3. Exercise: Studies show that exercise is better at waking you up than a cup of coffee. So instead of going straight to Jittery Joe's, try doing a light 10-minute workout during breaks. It will make you feel refreshed so you can get back to studying.
4. Stay Calm: Try not to stress yourself out. If you don't do as well as expected, it isn't the end of the world. Remember to think positive thoughts. Also avoid comparing yourself to others because it usually just makes you feel bad about yourself. Your mental health during this time is just as important as your physical health.
5. Take Breaks (And Rewards!): Don't forget to stop studying occasionally. And when you do, reward yourself with something you like. Maybe you can get a Skittle for every 10 lines you read, or maybe you'll watch a YouTube video every 40 minutes.
Staying healthy during finals can be so beneficial. I hope you do well on all of your exams!
