 The stress of finals seems unavoidable, and it might be; however, there are ways to make it through. While some people are spending 13-hour days in the library, others are procrastinating with Netflix and Facebook, and from my own experience, neither is too productive. Without knowing the prime study times, the prime break times, and the prime time to not give a f***, finals could be way more stressful than they really need to be.
1.    Get to the library– Even if you love your bed and think you’re super productive in it, beds are for sleeping, not studying. Not only will you likely fall asleep or lack attention in your bed, but also people who do work in their beds oftentimes suffer from insomnia. Tell your brain that the library means time for work and your bed means time to sleep.
2.    Find a new study spot– After binge-studying in College Library for the entirety of finals last year, I will never step foot in there again. Sitting in the same place does not incite productivity. Give yourself a break from the stressful environment that you’ve been in all semester and try out a new quiet place to study. Whether that’s the SAC, the Discovery Center or just a quiet coffee shop, go there and give yourself a fresh environment to study in.
3.    Take breaks– December break in tropical places and the thought of being in a bikini may make days in the library without food seem enticing, but in reality, your brain needs it. Cramming is not studying, so give yourself time to do work with breaks in between. Whether this break is for napping, watching a show or just getting a cup of coffee, it will pay off for your body and your brain.
4.    Create a schedule– Not only will a schedule help you visualize how your day will go, it will also help you fit in time for studying, eating and resting. Sleep is key during finals week, so make time for it. If your most difficult test is next Friday, plan ahead. Write out which chapters you will study and when, and most importantly, make a start and end time for your day to make sure you are getting enough sleep.
5.    Watch Netflix– Although I hate to tell anybody to take the “fuck it” approach, it sometimes is necessary. When you’re overly stressed and anxious about work, you will not get anything done. If you spent 20 hours in the library the day before, take a day off to let your brain rest. Don’t make a week out of it, but don’t be afraid to relax in order to make finals a little less stressful.