It’s that time of year again when stress levels are on a rise and coffee is your best friend. There’s a math final on Monday, history paper due Tuesday, two finals on Wednesday, and you’re just about ready to crash. During this hectic period of finals week, here are some survival tips to help you get through:
1. SLEEP.
Starbucks and Dunkin may be your friend during this long week, but the most important thing you can get this week is sleep. On average, people need seven to eight hours of sleep to function well mentally and physically. Overdosing on caffeine is not the solution because in the end, the fatigue will catch up and your body will want to crash. Get the sleep that your body needs so you can focus better on your work.
2. Prioritize your time.
We are all victims of this terrible crime – procrastination. You often find yourself saying “I’m going to stop procrastinating” but never actually do. During this busy week, plan ahead and make an agenda of what needs to get done and by what date/time. A planner is a great tool to have to help you plan out your deadlines and to prevent you from cramming everything for the last minute. Believe me, pacing out your work load and getting it done in increments will decrease your stress tremendously!
3. Study in a quiet space.
Even though some people are able to study with music blasted and a TV volume on 50, it’s more beneficial to study in a quiet space. When your brain is only focused on your work, you will retain more information rather than having your mind distracted by several different noises. The best place to find a tranquil space is a library or your bedroom.
4. Take breaks.
Although you want to do well on your finals and all you want to do is study, study, study, it’s important to take breaks and clear your mind for a little bit. Overstudying can sometimes make you actually forget what you’ve reviewed because you’re cramming all the material at once. Study for a few hours, take a Netflix break, and then continue.
5. Try to shy away from "study dates."
It can be fun and feel less lonely to study with your friends, but unless you can all sit in silence and get work done, study dates aren’t always the best way to study. I personally don’t get as much work done or retain information as well when I’m studying with friends because it’s easy to draw up conversation and get distracted. Study dates are fun once in a while, but try not to partake in them during finals week so you can really focus on your material.
6. Get some exercise.
While you’re taking a study break, get some exercise and keep your body up and active. When you’re sitting down studying for hours, your body can get sleepy and you might doze off. If the gym isn’t your thing, go for a walk or run for 30 minutes to make your body produce more energy and keep you awake and productive. What’s even better – exercise releases endorphins, which has been shown to improve memory.
7. Do your best and remember why you're doing it!
Don’t lose motivation or focus during this stressful time. Remember why you’re in school and what goals you’re achieving while you’re here. Stay calm, prepared, and focused. Dreams don’t work unless you do!
