College can create strenuous amounts of stress on students. This is due to busy schedules, heavy course loads and balancing their social life. However, one of the most stress-bearing times for students is finals week. As the fall semester comes to a close, students begin preparing for their course exams. The upcoming weeks to finals, and finals week itself, can be a difficult time for students to manage. Sleep schedules are often neglected, eating habits are often failed, and overall health is strained. These draining habits can be avoided by practicing some simple tips.
Get started early.
Students are made aware of their exam dates in advance, therefore students should begin their preparation early. Getting a head start will allow you to not be crammed up last minute and give you the ability to allocate your time to other courses.
Breaking up your work can lead to more focused studying and an increased ability to retain information. Create a to-do list or a schedule to help keep your studies organized.
Rest adequately.
Sometimes, students are led to believe that more productivity comes when pulling “all-nighters.” All-nighters are when students stay up all night with no rest, but ultimately this is far less productive.
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Your body needs rest in order to process and retain information. Sleep is a crucial factor for human function, so when the body is deprived even the slightest, it can affect memory, judgment and mood, per the American Psychological Association.
Create a schedule in order to avoid sacrificing your rest, but if needed a quick power nap will work wonders.
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Exercise.
There are lots of benefits that come from exercising. In this case, stress management is one of them. Going to the gym, meditation, or even breathing exercises are optimal ways to relieve stress.
An Anxiety and Depression Association of America article states, “Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins—chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—and also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress. . . Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem.” It is necessary to give your brain time to refresh and reset during such an intense time.
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Self-care.
Self-care is a requirement during finals time. The University of Michigan Student Life discusses how important self-care is during finals and how it can help students build resilience skills.
Oftentimes students neglect themselves because they do not realize a happy you means a more productive you. When you are feeling your best, you are able to perform your best.
Due to this, make sure you are doing things to keep your mood light and overall happy. This can be done in simple ways, such as eating your favorite candy bar while studying, or ordering your favorite Starbucks drink to have along the way. Stress can lead to binge eating and snacking, so be sure not to overdo it on the sugars.
Mindfulness apps.
According to Psychology Today, “mindfulness” is a state of active, open attention to the present. When one is mindful, they are able to carefully observe their thoughts and feelings.
When studying becomes too much, take a break and utilize mindfulness apps. These apps are great for stress management and can be easily downloaded onto your digital devices.
