Finals season is often very stressful, whether it be high school or college. It is the time to lock in and relearn the whole quarter (yay!). Avoiding burnout before the big day is difficult, so taking care of yourself and your mental health should be prioritized. When you need a break from studying, here are a few useful activities to get your mind off of school and help you relax.
Get A Sweet Treat
Taking a well-needed break from studying is important, and treating yourself to a sweet treat is even more important. I try to make a goal of reading a certain number of pages and use a sweet treat as a final reward; this strategy has not failed me yet. Being able to spend your dining dollars on sweet treats is too convenient. If you’re studying on campus, consider stopping by Shake Smart to get an acai bowl or a smoothie. You can also hit up the Sweet Bar in Vista Grande or grab a festive peppermint shake at Chick-fil-A. There are a multitude of yummy options on campus, but if you are heading off campus to get some work done, do not fret! SLO-a-La-Mode downtown is SO good; you have to try their peanut butter ice cream. There is also Cowboy Cookie & Ice Cream with locations in SLO and Pismo! My personal favorite is their cookie dough ice cream.
Go For A Walk On The Beach
We are ridiculously fortunate to live so close to the beach! It is at our fingertips 24/7 and it would be a disservice to not take advantage of this, especially considering that the beach has such a soothing factor to it. During this quarter, when I was stressed out or was missing home extra, I would head to Avila Beach either early in the morning or during sunset to beat the crowd. Something about Avila just calmed me; it certainly made me realize there is so much more to life than the things that were causing me anxiety. Just sitting on the shore listening to the waves or going for a sunset dip was all I needed to reconnect with the things that truly matter. If you need social interaction to stay sane during finals, invite your friend to go sit with you and talk it out!
Go To Your Favorite Coffee Shop
I am such a sucker for coffee shops, from the coffee aroma to just the plain cool vibes they give off. It feels like they put something in the air to make everyone focused. On campus, we have so many good places to study, but if you need a change of scenery, head to a coffee shop in town! There are a plethora of great options like Scout on Foothill Blvd, or Kreuzberg Coffee on Higuera St. Discovering a new study spot is a great alternative to get away for a little bit, have some alone time to reconnect, and grab a delicious latte for motivation!
Listen To A Podcast
I like to hear other people think when I am tired of thinking. Podcasts are a good way to unwind and get you in the right headspace for the upcoming stressful time. You could listen to a true crime Podcast like Crime Junkie, hear deep life advice on The Moments Podcast, or get a laugh from the Call Her Daddy Podcast. Whatever your taste might be, a podcast can get you thinking about other things or help motivate you to get your schoolwork done. One Episode of the Moments Podcast helped me to put things into perspective when it comes to getting good grades and spreading yourself too thin. Podcasts can help you decompress and reevaluate your priorities during this extremely stressful time.
Hangout With Loved Ones
When going through a stressful period such as finals season, it is crucial to keep your support system close. If this might be your friends, roommates, siblings, parents, or mentors, it is important to not isolate yourself. Everyone needs a break from studying once in a while so go grab coffee with a friend or take a sunset dip at Pismo to remember that school is important, but your mental health is more important. Surround yourself with people who lift your spirits and who you can share a good laugh with!
College in all aspects is challenging which emphasizes the importance of having a group of people you can count on. Everyone stresses during finals week, and you are not alone. Take your well-deserved breaks and remember that life is so much more than a grade you get on a test.