Finals. The real “F word”. We go through the whole semester in dread of that last week when it seems like everything is falling apart and then you also have 3 exams, a paper, and a presentation due. But we want you to do your very best even though finals is a stressful time. Here’s a list of must-haves if you want to have best finals week yet.
Water, Water, and More Water
When finals roll around, the last thing you might be thinking about is your water bottle, but trust me you need it. According to Psychology Today, our brains need water to aid in short-term memory, long-term memory recall and even simple arithmetic. Brain cells require a certain amount of water to operate, and if that amount is off, they won’t do their best. Drinking the right amount of water will also help with many other aspects of your health such as digestion, increased energy, and boosting your immune system just to name a few. Staying hydrated through finals season will make your life a lot easier.Â
Plan Naps
During finals week, you may not be getting all the sleep you need and that’s to be expected. In a perfect world, you would get all eight hours and ace every test and paper, but that’s not realistic. There will be nights in your college career when you get four hours of sleep or less a night. I’m here to tell you that it’s okay in moderation. Don’t let it become a habit, but, in the case where you don’t get enough shut-eye, plan naps the next day. Even if it’s just a twenty-minute power nap, still go for it. Every little bit will help hold you over until the next time you can sleep.
Plan Rewards and Breaks
People aren’t robots; life isn’t all work and no play. The best way to fit in rest from the assignments and projects is to schedule it. Schedule yourself a break after you finish an allotted amount of work or reward yourself when you accomplish something tough.Â
Snacks for Your Brain
Don’t work so hard that you forget to eat, or forget to eat healthy. When life gets busy and stressful, it can be so easy to reach for candy or chips, but if you really want to win at finals, pick a snack that doubles as brain food. According to Health.com, snacks like sunflower seeds, avocado, or peanut butter help increase brain function.Â
Good Friends
A must for finals season is homies. Sometimes when the stress gets too much, you need to set down the flash cards and hang out with some good friends who probably need the stress relief just as much as you do. Â
Caffeine
This one’s obvious, however, don’t drink so much caffeine that you forget how to sleep. But when energy is low and you need a pick me up, a latte couldn’t hurt. Just remember, all things in moderation.
A Planner or Schedule
I can’t tell you how much a planner or schedule will help you during finals. Even if you don’t normally keep to a strict calendar, draw one up just for the last few weeks of the semester. It’ll help you plan for the homework and studying in the days ahead and will make life a lot easier.Â
Finals week will probably never be fun, but with these essentials it won’t suck nearly as much. Take our advice and add a positive attitude and you’ll ace all of your finals this semester and the semesters to come.