As finals season draws near, many students find themselves in a state of stress, overwhelmed by all the tasks that must be completed before the end of the semester.
While it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious, it’s important to remember that there are ways to manage stress, keep yourself healthy and study effectively for finals that can help make the process more manageable.
The first thing to do when trying to reduce stress is to recognize when you’re feeling overwhelmed and take breaks when needed. Don’t be afraid to take a break from studying or other tasks when you’re feeling anxious or “off balance.” Taking a few minutes to relax and re-center can help you refocus and approach tasks with a clear mind.
It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Between studying for exams, attending classes and having a social life, it is easy to neglect our health. But taking care of yourself is essential for success in university. Here are a few tips from my own playbook.
1. Get enough sleep: It is important to get a full night’s sleep every night. Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating and weakened immune systems. Try to set a consistent sleep schedule and stick to it.
2. Eat healthy: Eating healthy is key to keeping your body and mind functioning at their best. Aim to eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Do your best to limit processed and sugary foods.
3. Exercise regularly: Exercise is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least three or four times a week. This could include walking, biking, running or going to the gym. It is important to note that everyone has a different activity level that’s right for them, and it may take some time to find your rhythm.
4. Take breaks: It is important to take breaks from studying and schoolwork to give your mind a rest. Spend some time outside, socialize with friends or do something that relaxes you.
5. Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your body healthy. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
6. Ask for help: As humans, we need others to lean on. Create a support system of kind people who make you feel good. Do not be afraid to ask for help from those you trust because going through it alone can lead to further harm.
Now that you know how to keep your body and mind healthy, we can talk about how to study. Studying for finals can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be made easier.
Before you start studying, it is helpful to plan out what material you need to cover and how you will go about it.
For example, if you have three subjects to study for, decide which one you will focus on first and set aside a certain amount of time for each subject. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you have time to cover everything.
Next, break the material down into manageable chunks. It is easy to become overwhelmed when faced with a large amount of material, so start by breaking the material into sections and then break those sections into smaller topics. This will help you focus on one topic at a time and make it easier to remember the material.
Simply reading the material or going over notes is not enough. To really internalize the material, it is important to practice actively. This could mean doing practice problems, creating flashcards or even teaching the material to someone else. This will help you better understand and remember the material for the final.
To reiterate, you need to take breaks. Studying for long periods of time can be exhausting and taking breaks will give you a chance to recharge and come back to the material with a fresh perspective.
Remember, you’re almost there and summer break is right within your grasp.
