YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! YOU CAN DO IT!
As finals are approaching, your stress level and work load has increased by thousands. Its the greatest holiday season of the year, but worst part of the school work. Between scrambling to finish papers before finals, to putting together the last pieces of group projects, to trying to figure out all your holiday plans, the stress is suffocating. There are a few things I have learned from finals week that might be of some assistance to you!
1. Organize
Take a second from your busy schedule and try to organize your life a little bit. Make a list of everything you need to do and add their due dates. Draw out a calendar, or use a planner, and write in when each thing is due. Dedicate certain days or times to each piece that way you aren't trying to do everything all at once. If you have tests to study for, set aside certain time strictly for studying.
2. Quiet Time
When you're trying to write a paper, or complete a project, or study for a test, find an area that you are completely alone and it is completely quiet. You could even listen to music if that helps you focus. By being alone in a quiet space, you will eliminate as many distractions as you can.
3. Prioritize
Once you have a list of things that you know you need to complete, try to figure out what is most important, or what will take you the longest to do. If you try to complete the biggest things earliest, you will feel the weight lifted off your shoulders.
4. Make Study Groups
If you have a big test, try and get a few classmates around to study together. Having someone to quiz you on some test questions is a great way to memorize the material. And it could be very helpful to have other peoples brains around in case you get stuck on something and can't figure out the answer.
5. Don't Forget To Take A Break
It is okay to need to rest once in a while. You can stop cramming for your tests, and writing your papers for a while, for the sake of your sanity. Grab something to eat, take a walk, watch an episode of a show, but don't forget to get back to work after a little bit.
6. Take Care Of Your Body
Take care of your body. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating right, taking the proper care you need to avoid being sick during this stressful time. If there is anything worse than being sick at school, its being sick at school during finals week. So, get to bed early every night, eat breakfast before your early tests, and maybe just maybe try and cut back on the partying for a week.
7. Just Breathe
It's extremely stressful, I know it is. But it isn't the end of the world. It is nothing to lose your mind or sleep over. Take a deep breathe and focus and before you know it everything will be complete and it'll be Christmas!
You can do it, I promise!