School can be intense, and when it’s finals week, a molehill can feel like a mountain: As deadlines pile and tests creep up, stress abounds. Here are six easy tips to minimize stress and carry through your finals week with ease.
- Sleep: Don’t roll your eyes – it’s true. You need sleep, especially when your brain and body are on overdrive. Multiple studies show that students with a good night’s sleep will outperform those who stay up all night. To ensure you’ll have enough energy for the next day, aim for at least eight hours of sleep.
- Be Good to Your Body: College can run your health amok, so do your body a favor and take some extra steps to stay healthy during finals week. Cut back on alcohol, eat nutritious foods that support your immune system – blueberries, sweet potatoes, and spinach to name a few – and wash your hands often. When your classmates start sneezing and coughing, you don’t want to be next!
- Take a Mental Vacation: If you have the time, put the books down and do something relaxing. Wind down however you’d like, and let loose for a bit in the midst of chaos. If you like food, treat yourself to a lunch out; if Netflix is your go-to, throw on a few episodes of your favorite show.
- Ask for Help: If the stress seems to never end, take advantage your school’s counseling and health services. During finals week, especially, counselors will be at the ready to help you manage your stress and anything else that may be on your mind.
- Organize: Plan, plan, plan. The worst time to plan is when it’s actually happening. One to two weeks out from finals week, list all your exam dates and times along with when and where you’ll study. Your plans don’t need to be extensive, just as long as you stick to them.
- Exercise: Working out is the king of stress reduction. If you’re in college, you already have access to a gym at no additional cost – no excuses here. Do whatever exercises you prefer, whether that may be weights, cardio, swimming, or boxing, just make sure you’re moving!
