Are you pulling out your hair? Do you have huge bags under your eyes? Do you want to throw candy canes at everyone who's excited about Christmas? Well, you must be a college student grinding through the dreaded end of the semester: finals season!
The worst.
We are living off of caffeine, sugary snacks, and four hours of sleep, and we somehow are expected to get A's on our finals. That's nearly impossible when we are over-caffeinated, under hydrated, sleep-deprived students.
So, here are the five ways I overcome the "end of the semester scaries".
1. Make an energy boosting snack.
Honestly, is there anything better than avocado toast? Okay, but even if avocados aren't your thing, there are plenty of other nutritious snacks that will keep you feeling energized and ready to tackle the hours and hours of studying you'll be taking on. It's so important to practice self-care during finals week, which includes fueling your body the best way you can.
I know it is super tempting to grab highly caffeinated drinks and munch on some crunchy chips, but they leave you feeling anxious and flat out gross! A healthier way to get some crunch in to calm your stress is snacking on some whole wheat pretzels with hummus or peanut butter; super easy and super satisfying!
2. Quick yoga session.
After staring at your notes or laptop screen, sometimes you just need five minutes to close your eyes and reboot. It seems so simple, but when your anxiety is at an all-time high, you know that sitting still for two minutes is nearly impossible. Minutes of relaxation can give you all the mental clarity you need to power through another few hours of studying.
3. 5-minute dance party.
"Untouched" by Veronica's, "Party In The USA", or the High School Musical Soundtrack are all great pump-up songs that will help you get that second wind. When I'm in the process of studying, I love to listen to sad, slow music, which just makes me so mellow and sometimes unmotivated.
So, next time you feel like you need a quick boost, kick off your shoes, pick up your hairbrush as a microphone, and get silly! Now is the best time to "dance like no one is watching."
4. As many push-ups as you can in a minute.
Sometimes, your brain and your body need a little blood flow to get the motivation going again! After a few push-ups, I feel so rejuvenated and empowered. It may seem corny, but it really does work, and it's a fun way to get in some fitness during an extremely stressful time.
5. Change your state of mind.
Ever heard of the power of positivity? Now is the perfect time to practice it! Stop telling yourself you have to study; realize that is something you have the privilege of. There are so many people out there who don't have the opportunity to expand their education, but you have the ability to learn about some pretty awesome things.
These are things that are going to help you with your profession. It may be the most stressful week of your life until next semester, but it's only a few days of aggravations. It will all pay off.
