Finals are upon us. A time of stress, malnutrition, and sleeplessness has befallen our tired hearts. But fear not, I will save you with these tips and tricks to survive (and hopefully thrive!) this finals season!
1. Take care of your physical health
It is so easy to forget to eat and stay hydrated when you’re in the middle of a busy study session. However, that will ultimately come back to hurt you if you’re not careful. Consuming too many caffeinated drinks, not getting enough sleep or calories, and being dehydrated can make you sick and unable to go any further. It is important to find time to eat healthy, balanced meals full of fruit and veggies to fuel your mind and body. Also, avoid sugary snacks and candies since that will just contribute to brain fog and memory problems, making it way harder to study.
2. Make sure to set times for breaks
Many studies have shown that taking breaks allows your brain to recharge and retain information better. Overworking your mind will ultimately lead to worse results, as it is unable to process and hold the information. Taking breaks and doing something fun with friends or family will allow your brain to reset and improve your attention and memory when you sit down to study.
3. Get outside and get moving
Exercise is key. Your mind and body are interconnected. If your body feels good, your brain feels good, so make sure you are exercising on a daily basis. It’s harmful for you to be sitting in the same posture on the same chair for hours, so make sure you get up and do some stretches or go on a short walk with your friends. It doesn’t need to be rigorous training in the gym, it could just be a 10 minute YouTube exercise video, or doing a couple stretches. Do what you enjoy!
4. Keep that positive self talk
Your mind believes what you continue to say to yourself. If you focus on the negative thoughts, that will consume all your thinking and increase your stress. That is not to say you shouldn’t feel anxious or worried; that is a very normal thing to experience during finals season. However, it is of extreme importance to not believe every single thought you may have. You are more capable than you think, and it is your brain’s job to uplift you, not make it more difficult for you. Remind yourself of all the difficult situations you overcame and use that as fuel to assure yourself of what you can do! Remember, if you are experiencing many harmful thoughts and are finding it hard to manage, reach out for help from a professional.
To conclude, finals are a very stressful time, and people have different strategies to succeed. If you are finding that the strategies you have used in the past are not working, try observing others around you and see what helps them succeed! Finding the study strategies that work for you will reduce the amount of time you need to spend studying and make you a more efficient learner. Good luck! I believe in you.
Leave a Reply