It's that bittersweet time of the year when you're at the end of your second semester and just aching for summer vacation to begin. It's sweet because you're in the home stretch and you can just feel yourself laying on the beach, but bitter because finals are the only thing in the way of soaking up those rays. Finals are probably the most stressful part of college, but don't fret- you will make it out alive. Here are a few ways to help you survive your finals week!
1. Stock up your snack bin
We all are told time and time again that snacking is not the best of habits. Typically, snacks consist of junk food, unless you have enough self-control to walk past the junk food aisle and stock up your fridge with fruits and yogurt. Throughout the year, it's understandable to try to eat healthier and keep snacking to a minimum, but during finals week, all bets are off. Snacks are a necessity to keep you going. I find myself writing a paper with one hand on my keyboard and the other in a bag of potato chips. Also, you sure as heck know you're going to be up well into the night doing one thing or another, so stock up your freezer with some ice cream or my favorite, sorbet.
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2. Take advantage of your library
I'll admit, I haven't been to the library as many times as I probably should have. The only time I ever really went in there was for class or if I needed to print something. Looking back at it, the library would've been the perfect place to crank out assignments without distractions. During finals week, typically most libraries are open 24 hours. Plus, you know everybody there will be in the same boat as you! Be sure to take advantage of these extended hours, the peace and quiet, and the librarians who are more than happy to help you with anything!
3. Don't be afraid to complain
Finals are a touchy subject, so it's only natural for you to complain every time they are mentioned. No, this doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. I find it very helpful to take a few minutes out of my day to complain to my roommate and vice versa. Complaining allows you to get the hatred for your exams out of your system, and then you're able to focus on what needs to get done.
4. Use your meals as motivation
We all know that taking the time out of your vigorous studying days to go get a real meal from the dining hall is a burden. Cup of Noodles is great but at some point, you need something more substantial to keep you alive. Use going out to eat as motivation to get things done. While this might sound like an awful idea, it actually works. Set a goal of a certain amount of work to get done, and when you finish that work, you reward yourself by going out and getting something to eat!
5. Limit your time on social media
We all spend way too much time checking our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. It's a habit -- and half of the time we don't even realize how much we're doing it. This obsession is bad on its own, but during finals, it is especially a no-no. We all need (or feel the need) to check out what's going on in our social worlds, but make sure you aren't wasting too much time on social media rather than being productive and studying. Study or do work for a few hours, and then refresh your news feed and check it out for a few minutes!
6. Make a motivational playlist
I'm somebody who can work either in dead silence or with some music on in the background, but some people always need background noise to be productive. Either way, I've found that it is a great idea to put together a playlist of songs that will only motivate you to get your work done! Whatever your favorite type of music is, throw a few songs onto a playlist and let it play while you power through your papers and studies!
7. Caffeine never hurt anybody
Well, that actually might be a lie. I'm sure caffeine addicts have been harmed by their intake, but that's beside the point. Caffeine is basically a necessity for finals week. Who knows how many all-nighters you will be pulling, and the only (legal) way to keep yourself awake and motivated is through caffeinated beverages. Stock up on some 12 packs of soda and some coffee. Also, if you're into energy drinks, maybe invest in one or two of those, but not too many because they are worse for you than soda or coffee.
8. Find puppies and cuddle them
Puppies are good anytime, but especially during finals. At some schools, volunteers bring shelter dogs to the campus so college students can play and cuddle with them for stress relief. If this is an opportunity given at your campus, take advantage of it! If not, find a local shelter and go visit the dogs, or find a friend who has a dog that you can play with for a little while. It's the perfect way to take a break and relax.
9. Make plans for the summer
By the time you reach finals, all you want is to be done with school. You want to go home, lay out on the beach and soak up the sun with your best friends. It helps to use this as a motivation to get through finals. Call your hometown friends (who are most likely in the same boat that you are) and make some plans for as soon as you get home. These plans will keep you moving and working hard because you'll be super excited to get to them and see your friends.
10. Take time to breathe
Finals are stressful. Usually, there's no way to avoid feeling this stress. Between tests and papers, you feel like you'll never have time to breathe again. I understand this- I've been there too. It's very important to make sure you don't run yourself down. If you know you're going to stay up most of the night studying, squeeze in a nap so you don't exhaust yourself. If you're ever feeling extremely stressed out or frustrated with one particular thing, step back from your work and take some time to breathe. It's a necessity!
Finals might be exhausting and stressful, but I promise you will make it through them! Just make sure to leave an adequate amount of time to work on each subject you have a final in. Follow some of these tips, and you are sure to survive. Just think, summer is right around the corner!
