Finals are upon us. Excessive amounts of coffee, a handful of all-nighters and a whole lot of cram sessions are headed our way, and it’s important to find time to unwind and let go of all of that exam week stress.
Here are some tips for surviving the week:
Take a walk
After a long, grueling study session, it’s necessary to do something to clear your mind. Walking, especially somewhere scenic like the LSU Lakes, can be a great escape from the textbooks and notebooks.
Science backs this up. Like other cardio, walking boosts endorphins which reduce stress hormones and help alleviate anxiety. Just remember that a breath of fresh air can go a long way when finals have you burnt out.
Listen to music
It’s been proven time and time again that music has a special relationship with our emotions. The soothing qualities of music can often be very effective in managing stress.
To maximize the stress-relieving aspects of music, you may want to branch out from your usual playlists — researchers recommend listening to quiet classical music.
Alternatively, some researchers argue that faster, more upbeat music, makes you more alert and helps you focus better. Essentially, you can’t go wrong as long as you’re jamming out to something.
Clean your workspace
If you ever find yourself particularly flustered in the middle of a study session, you may find that it’s helpful to tidy up your desk.
A lot of the time, you’ll find it easier to focus on the task at hand after you’ve decluttered your workspace.
Be smart with caffeine and sugar
Caffeine can be a life-saver, but it’s important to remember to enjoy it in moderation. Downing cup after cup of coffee can make you jittery and actually make it harder to focus.
As far as snacks go, it’s best to stay away from anything too sugary to avoid a crash later in the night. Anything that’s rich in protein would be a healthier option if you need to revitalize.
Get as much sleep as possible
If you know that you’re going to be heading into an intense cram session soon, make sure that you get as much sleep as you can the night before.
Not only is it unhealthy to operate on super-low levels of sleep, but you’ll find that it can be significantly more difficult to concentrate under those conditions. It’s not always possible, but it’s important to get your rest before heading into the battle that is finals week.
Create something
Whether it’s a painting, a poem or even just a doodle, finding time to be creative can be very relaxing.
The change of pace from learning material that’s been dictated to you to creating something of your very own, following your own rules, proves to be a refreshing exercise for clearing your head.