We put the word ‘no’ on a pedestal as a symbol of self-respect and discipline, and rightly so. Saying no is an art, one that leaves the canvas blank for your own good. I would argue, though, that saying yes is often harder than saying no because it is a verbal commitment to be an active participant. "No" easily transitions into a slippery slope of plans never fulfilled and good intentions never accomplished. "No" gives the illusion of total empowerment, while really, it acts as an excuse. As we approach finals testing, keep in mind that saying yes, while stressed, may actually be beneficial.

Say yes to teamwork:

Group projects aren’t my favorite either, but collaboration on the right terms tends to produce better material. We might get the rubric for our final and automatically feel we need to hide in our secret library study spot and individually go head-to-head with the daunting task of preparing. Try saying yes to working with someone instead. That does mean planning out a time to meet, which appears inconvenient, but the inconvenience is temporary compared to the comprehensive studying getting done.

Say yes to a routine:

As college students, we tend to ply our day by ear, not knowing what random assignment will be given or what event will require our attendance. However, a general routine is extremely helpful to not waste our time. Even without having a specific to-do list, we can block out times in our day that are for studying, taking a break and eating. It sounds simple, but many people don’t do this. Saying yes to a routine will make time more productive because we know that we’ve allocated a part in our day to focus and keep moving. For those who work out, this concept compares to planning out leg day or chest day, or what have you. If Monday and Wednesday are leg days, then that’s what they are, and skipping them will only result in losing gains.

Say yes to healthy food:

I know, healthy food doesn’t seem as great, but our bodies will thank us for not trying to pull an all-nighter with only coffee and McDonalds in our stomachs. If finals preparation consists of very long nights, attempting to memorize notes, cranking out essays, etc., nutrition will make those things ten times easier to do. That groggy feeling can be tempered by giving some TLC to our health.