Finals week and the weeks leading up to it can be pretty stressful, but there are small ways that can relieve some of the stress and make it easier to become more focused and productive in the next coming weeks.
1. Have a schedule book.
Whether or not you already have a scheduling book or to-do list, having a day to day schedule that includes your classes and times you work will help you visualize how much free time you have so you can pencil in times to do projects or study for finals. Plan out your next two weeks so you can balance your time so you can give a focused amount of time you want to each final you have to study for. This will help ease your mind with what you are going to focus on that day and you will know how much time you can put towards it. It also helps you stick to what you say you want to do because it is like a written promise to yourself.
2. Keep on top of your work.
Following up with using a two-week planner for yourself, making sure you are aware of all work you have to do for classes leading up to the final. This means checking all your syllabi and writing down what's due and when. This makes sure you know what work to focus on day by day and you don't forget about assignments because you are thinking about studying for your finals.
3. Meditate.
Now what I mean by meditating is not learning yoga or becoming at peace with yourself. What I mean is taking out five or ten minutes of your day where you do nothing and rest your brain. You can lay down or sit, but you should be in a quiet room, or in a room with no distractions and playing music that you enjoy. Here you can close your eyes and rest your mind by focusing on and worrying about nothing for ten minutes. This will relax you so your adrenaline or blood pressure will not rise from stress and you have a clear mind that will let your brain produce your best work.
4. Have free time to do something fun or see friends.
If meditating or doing nothing is not your thing, then make sure you have free time not necessarily every day, but a couple times a week to get off campus or go do something fun with friends. Even if you are just all hanging out and doing nothing or something that you all enjoy as a group, this will help your body and brain relax because you are having fun and laughing. Plus with your constant worry about studying for finals, you may forget about leaving time for socializing which is necessary for humans so you will not lose your mind.
5. Exercising.
You don't have to be athletic for this but even if you maybe choose to walk to classes those two weeks instead of driving or doing a sport you enjoy like basketball it will make your body release endorphins, which is a stress-relieving chemical. This will help so you don't get as depressed during the next couple weeks because of lack of movement.
6. Eating healthy.
I know that dining hall food is not the best for everyone, but making sure you go at least once a day will help you get out and eat food that doesn't consist of just snack and junk food. On top of eating junk food, people around finals also tend to eat less or forget to eat, which is not good when you are trying to learn and retain information. So even if dining hall food can be greasy and fattening, picking the right foods will make things a little healthier. Having things that contain chicken or a lot of protein, fruits or vegetables, and rice or a little pasta will contain enough carbs for your body and mind to burn.
7. Sleep.
I know that during finals, people pull all nighters or go days without sleeping, but sleep is required for your brain to take the information you studied and process it so it can become long-term memory. You do not have to sleep eight hours or more; even though it would be beneficial, it is not realistic for a studying college student. But making sure you have at least five or six solid hours of sleep is enough to rest your mind and body, but still not waste valuable study time. If you are having trouble sleeping, drinking chamomile tea, exercising to exhaust your body, or meditating will help you relax enough to fall asleep to get the hours you need.
