Finals week is fast approaching! But as you get overwhelmed with homework and gulp down caffeine, remember that finals week does not only consist of you sitting in front of your textbook cramming as much information as possible. Try some of the following things to get the most out of your studying and de-stress.
1. Take breaks!
Have you tried studying nonstop for 24 hours? Yeah, it gets very tiring! It is advisable to take a 10 minute break after 50 minutes of studying. But I could be studying during that time! you may think. But you could also lose focus and make it harder to remember information. It is also advisable to do some type of exercise during the 10 minute study break.
2. Get enough sleep!
While pulling all nighters throughout finals week might seem like an effective way to get the most information into your brain, your brain won't be able to hold all that information if you don't give it enough sleep. Eight hours of sleep help improve memory and concentration. So give your body eight hours of sleep and it will reward you by remembering what the inputs and outs of the Calvin Cycle are for that biology final the next day!
3. Go to office hours!
Most of the times, we feel embarrassed to go to office hours. Who wants to admit to their professor or TA that they don't understand what is going on in the class? But who knows the material better than the professor and/or TA? As an added bonus, the professor (and most times TA's too) knows what will be on the final, so you can ask them questions like "Will this be on the final?" Professors and TA's also serve as a resource, so take advantage of that! After all, admitting that you need help looks much better than failing and not doing anything about it.
4. Start studying early!
How many times have you thought, Oh, my final is not until Friday. I can begin studying later. Next thing you know, it is Thursday night and you have no idea where to begin in the study guide because you know nothing. Okay, this has happened to me a lot of times (and probably to a lot of people too)! But there is nothing that compares to the feeling when you are almost done studying a quarter's worth of information and still have five or more days to review. So, do yourself a favor (and your sleep schedule) a favor and start studying early. Even studying for just one to three hours every day can help alleviate the stress of cramming as much as possible within a short amount of time.
5. Eat!
Okay, maybe not eat all the time, stress eating does not relieve stress. But who can really concentrate when their stomach keeps rumbling? Snack on some berries (blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, you name it!), some nuts (like almonds or pistachios), or even some dark chocolate (yum!) to improve your focus and concentration while studying.
6. Stay Hydrated
November-December in Riverside is like having summer and winter weather in one day. In the morning, it might be freezing, but at 11 a.m. you start sweating from the heavy jackets you put on just a few hours ago. In addition to that, walking around campus feels like its own work out. So don't forget to bring a water bottle to drink throughout the day (there are also hydration stations around the HUB so you can refill it). Don't forget to stay hydrated during finals week too! After all, who can fully concentrate on a test when sweat is running down your face and your mouth is dry?
7. Go to therapy fluffies!!!
Dogs! Dogs that want you to pet them and help you de-stress! Need I say more? Studies show that petting and playing with therapy animals can increase levels of oxytocin (a stress-reducing hormone) and reduce levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). There you have it! Science says that you should pet some therapy dogs! And it just happens that during finals week, The Well hosts therapy flufflies at the Orbach and Rivera libraries (make sure to check out The Well to find out exact times and dates). So go out and pet some dogs!
May the curve be in your favor!
