Opinion
Staying stress free, getting enough sleep essential for finals
December 16, 2011
Now that we are just one weekend away from finals week, it is very likely that every student on campus is going to be spending the majority of their time with a textbook, notebook and their homework from over the course of the semester.
Finals week can be incredibly stressful, especially for those who have more than one test each day. But how does one perfect their study habits for finals? Easy. Make sure that you take advantage of the quiet hours in the dorms and the library. You will find students campus-wide sitting in their favorite places to study throughout the entire week.
I am no expert on studying and finals, but from my own personal experience, I find it best to study for your finals in the order that you have them. Take this weekend to make an outline of everything that you need to do for each exam and study each topic one by one. Make sure you stay organized with each class so that you aren’t jumbling everything together.
I know that it can be exhausting to study for hours on end but remember that you can take breaks. Every hour or so take a five to 10 minute break and get something to drink, or eat a snack. Sitting for so long too can be quite uncomfortable. Don’t forget to stretch and take a short walk down the hall or something to get your blood flowing. Making sure you are comfortable and energized is a huge help when studying for finals.
Another important thing is to make sure you get enough sleep. One of the stereotypes of college students is that pulling all-nighters are a weekly thing. Although there are some of you out there that this might be the case for, sleep is a necessity. The average college student gets around six to seven hours of sleep a night. Making sure you get to bed at a decent hour so that you aren’t completely drained the next day is very important, especially when you have exams to take.
I understand that finals are important, but make sure you give yourself time for you. Get some of your friends together for a movie or even a game to release some of the stress you may be experiencing. I always find that getting away from studying for a little bit is extremely helpful when I am stressed out. Last semester, my friends and I played “Apples to Apples” just to get our minds off things, and it was successful. If you’re afraid that you will get too distracted, set a time limit that you have to follow.
Remember to make use of the library, the University Center, the study lounges in the dorms and your own place of living. Finals week is never a fun time for any student but remember that you’re not alone. Making sure that you don’t completely swamp yourself is always helpful. Remember to get a good amount of sleep so that you feel refreshed in the morning and for your test. Good luck on finals everyone and happy studying.
Samantha Mayberry is a junior and is majoring in journalism. She is from Rochester, Minn., and loves to read, listen to music and take pictures.