Welcome to the last few weeks of the semester and of the school year. This is the time when most of us are on unhealthy stress levels and we sometimes just want to give up. You feel like there is too much to do in such little time and it’s exhausting. You might feel like nothing is going your way and you might be asking if life will ever get easier. I’m here to say that it is okay to be overwhelmed and it is perfectly okay to not have it together all of the time. We are all on the same boat and it is okay to talk to someone about what you are feeling.
Speaking from experience, it is never okay to put yourself down and have negative thoughts about yourself when things don’t seem to be on the track you want them to be on. You have to be your biggest cheerleader. And yes, times will get tough, but do not beat yourself up over it.
So, if you’re feeling stressed, annoyed, overwhelmed, temperamental, and any other feelings you might have during these last two weeks, hang in there and take the following advice…
1. Eat and do it well.
Stop eating junk. I know it’s difficult to eat right because there is no time to think about other things other than your finals, but you have to try to eat well. Make sure you’re getting your necessary nutrients. Don’t live off of granola bars and ramen. Your brain needs to be fed and for it to work at its highest potential, you have to feed it correctly. Make yourself smoothies, eat fruit, have vegetables, and lay off the junk food.
2. Sleep.
Sleeping is very hard when it comes to finals week. But you have to put in some effort to get at least six hours of sleep every night. In order for your brain to work well and for it to remember what you studied, you have to rest it. If you’re not sleeping well, a lot of the studying you’re doing is going to waste. Please avoid all-nighters. Make a schedule and follow it religiously, it will be better for you and for your brain.3. Take study breaks.
We all need them so stop telling yourself you can’t afford to take a break. If you don’t take breaks, your brain will hate you. Don’t make your brain hate you.
4. Go outside.
Get some Vitamin D. Don’t be cooped up inside all day. Change your study areas if needed or take your breaks outside. Get some air and pretend you are not miserable for at least 15 minutes.
5. Cry (if you need to).
We won’t judge because we have all been there. Let it out, it’s healthy for you.
6. Talk to someone (if you need to).
If your stress is too overwhelming, please talk to someone. You can talk to your friends, roommate(s), anyone! I know Baylor offers counseling so if you just really need to calm your anxiety or anything that is going on, let someone know. You can even contact me, I’m here for you.
7. Don't forget to pack if you're going home.
This should go under the “take a break” section. You’re going to have to pack eventually so just do it strategically. Don’t try to pack all at once either because that will also stress you out.
8. Think of life after these two weeks but don’t lose sight of what is happening right now.
Hey, there’s about a week and a half standing in between you and summer. So go out there, kick your finals butts, and enjoy your summer.
Hang in there. Breath in and out. You can do this!
Happy finals and have a wonderful summer!
