Tackling Finals Week Stress

Finals week is quickly approaching bringing all the stress and uncertainty that we already feel to an all-time high. With everything in the air right now, anxiety is becoming overbearing. It’s understandable and perfectly acceptable to feel this way. I’m going to share some tips that I use to get through finals week with my sanity. 

1. Prioritize

   1. Find a way to prioritize everything you need to accomplish. Take a look at all your assignments for the remainder of the year. I like to put them in an excel spreadsheet and sort them by the due date. This gives me an easy way to see what I need to do when. For bigger assignments break them up into increments. For instance finish your outline one week, your rough draft the next, and the final draft the third. Take note of all your meetings and other obligations. When we get closer to finals week you may have conflicts with meetings and your studying schedule. Your grades come first, so prioritize accordingly. Make sure you keep these schedules and charts were you can see them easily so you can always look back to keep yourself on track.

2. Study

   1. Setting a certain time each day to study for your big exams will help you to be more successful in the long run. This will also help if you are a procrastinator like myself. The best time to study is from 10am-2pm and from 4pm-10pm. It’s important that you’re studying for 1-2 hours a day especially during finals week. 

3. Be Mindful

   1. Be mindful of your own physical and mental health. The stress of COVID, the election, and finals is a lot to take on. Especially when many college students have anxiety or depression already. Take some time for yourself to do whatever makes you feel happy or at peace. It could be something like journaling, practicing yoga, or meditating. It could even be something like taking a walk, watching a movie, baking, or talking to a friend on the phone. Take notice of what is happening in your mind and work to make sure that you are healthy. 

4. Find a Place to Study

   1. Finding a distraction-free place to study and take your exams if they aren’t in person. Leave your phone across the room or in another room. Don’t text or watch videos while trying to study. The only reason I keep my phone in my room while I study is to use the timer. Make sure your roommates know that you’re studying so they don’t disturb you. If you have trouble studying in your normal spot, switch it up and find somewhere new. 

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