For most students, finals week is simultaneous with stress. Although some of this can be positive in keeping individuals focused and awake, continued stress without relief or relaxation leads to negative stress. For example, this happens when a student is studying for a challenging test for five hours without a break. According to WebMD, stress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping.
Click here to read more about stress-related health issues.
To avoid these complications, there are several tips students can implement to relieve stress at the end of the semester.
1. Find a Quiet, Distraction-Free Place to Study
Although the booths in the MUC next to the 16-screen television wall are comfortable and close to all of your friends, it's best to avoid places like this when studying for finals. By finding a secluded table in the library, you're separating yourself from the distractions that come from television, loud friend groups, and more. Most students find they get more done in this setting.
2. Put. The Phone. Down
In today's technologically advanced world, a large majority of people own smart phones. These handy little devices have the ability to hold hundreds of thousand of apps, including Candy Crush, Words With Friends, Yik Yak, Fade, and Trivia Crack. Although these applications can be entertaining, they can also be addicting. Using Snap Chat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even texting can be equally distracting. Make an effort to stow your phone away in your backpack or bag, and focus on studying. On that note, avoid distractions on the Internet as well. The requests to play Trivia Crack will still be there when you take a break from studying.
3. Take Breaks
Contrary to popular belief, it's recommended to take breaks while dealing with high-stress situations, such as studying for finals. It's OK to take 15-20 minutes to read a magazine, talk to someone on the phone, or simply browse through Facebook and take your mind off of studying.
4. Treat Yourself
Just as it's OK to take breaks, it's OK to treat yourself during finals week as well. This isn't to say that eating four Big Macs and three large fries from McDonald's is acceptable just because you're stressed, (in fact, that's highly discouraged), but don't feel bad to reward yourself after a long day of studying with some popcorn, or even a soft drink.
5. SLEEP.
You might be saying to yourself, "How in the world can I sleep? I have 4 tests, 3 papers, and 3 projects to complete before next week! There's no TIME for sleep!" Before you reach for that next Red Bull, take a step back and listen. Sleep is vital to several skills you absolutely need during finals, including cognitive ability, memorization skills, information retention, and focus. Without a sufficient amount of sleep, your energy and motivation levels will be low, and keeping your eyes open on your chemistry notes will be that much harder. Strive to get at least seven to eight hours each night. Your grades will thank you later.
6. Manage Your Time Efficiently
Although everyone goes about time management differently, it's extra important to use this skill during finals week. Use whatever method you'd prefer, making lists, time blocks, etc. Just make sure you're managing your time wisely and getting to the things you need to do. For example, don't spend 18 hours studying for one test and only 2 studying for another, just because you allocated too much time to the first exam. The key is to plan, plan, plan.
By following these simple steps, you can relieve stress and make it through finals week without pulling all of your hair out.
To read more tips about how college students can reduce stress, click the links below.
How to Reduce Stress During Finals Week
7 Time Management Tips for Finals Week
This is great, Kathleen. You tackle an old topic in a funny, often fresh way here. A little more attention to AP style -- "two hours" instead of "2 hours," for example, this would be pretty close to perfect.
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