While you're getting ready for your finals, packing up to go home, and trying to ignore the grades getting posted on Canvas, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
You only have one more week left. One more week to get on the grind, hit the books, and really push toward the finish line. You are so close to being done, so really put 110% into the work that you're doing during this last week of school.
Take breaks. While you're on that grind, remember to stand up every hour or so, walk around, look at your phone for a few minutes and just let your brain relax. Also, don't forget to stay hydrated and healthy, and try to eat three meals a day (if not more). It's so important to keep your body healthy and loved while your brain is constantly in overdrive. So try to hold back from getting insomnia cookies or going through a fast food drive-thru every night. Take care of yourself and your body even more than the average week.
Outline a study plan. Setting goals for me always help with achieving everything I need and crossing the next thing off my to-do list. So plan ahead and set up when you're going to study, eat, and sleep. When you're studying, set a goal for each hour that you're working, that way you keep pushing to the next leg of the race and have focus and motivation guiding you.
Your grades and GPA do not define you. When you're heading home for winter break and your final grades start getting posted, do not let the outcome get to you. We are all going through different experiences and involved in different ways, yet as college students, we are constantly comparing ourselves and our grades to others. Everyone has different ideas of "good grades" so it's also really important to not compare yourself to others. Getting good grades should drive and motivate you, but it does not define you as a person.
Lastly, trust what you know. If cramming the night before is what gives you the best outcome, do it. If it's prepping days and days before, do it. Trust your brain and trust what you've been working toward all semester. You've been preparing all semester for whatever is about to come at you this week so really you know whatever is about to come.
Whether you have one final or five, we all need to remember that our mental and physical health is more important than any letter grade or number that too often defines us. This finals week, remember to take care of yourself, work hard, and look at each experience as something you can learn from.
Take a deep breath. Take on one thing at a time. And keep working your butt off for one more week. You got this.
