It’s time.
Every student can feel it. There’s a sense of gnawing dread that digs deeper in the back of your mind during the momentary lull of Thanksgiving break. Then the Canvas notifications come in. Your professors have been busy creating assignments for you to complete in the brief period before we’re released for Christmas break before doing it all over again next semester. Before you know it, you’re downing coffee like it’s your job to keep your eyelids up for just a little bit longer.
Finals season.
Finals are a notoriously chaotic season for all students, and Union students are no exception. Whether you’re an English major scrambling to get words on the page or an accounting major inputting numbers into an Excel spreadsheet, you’re stressed right now.
So how do we cope with finals season stress and power through to the finish line?
HOW TO POWER THROUGH FINALS SEASON
Merriam-Webster says that to cope is “to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties.” We hope this list helps you power through finals season!
1. FIGURE OUT HOW YOU WORK BEST
I studied for a psychology exam with my classmate this morning, and I found that we had both adopted different study methods. She read through her in-class notes, some of them aloud, while I highlighted passages in the textbook. We had the same material, the same exam, but unique approaches to studying.
Finding out how you study most effectively is a huge time-saver in finals week. A good place to start is to determine your learning style:
- Auditory: you probably study best by reading material aloud.
- Visual: you probably study best by including imagery in your studies.
- Tactile: you would probably benefit by investing in a fidget toy.
2. TAKE BREAKS… EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT
“It’s easy for me to get into my work mode where I work for hours without stopping,” senior public relations major Amy Lovins said. “So it’s helpful for me to set a firm boundary by taking a break (and) being in community.”
We live in a very “go-go-go” culture. Believe it or not, you can still take breaks even if you’re somebody who struggles to relax! The key here is intentionality and awareness of your own limits.
3. DEEP BREATHING ACTUALLY WORKS
Deep breathing exercises aren’t just a holistic myth. In fact, even a few seconds of deep, intentional breaths can lower your blood pressure, increase your energy, and decrease the production of cortisol (the stress hormone).
It may be helpful to set a periodic reminder on your phone to take deep breaths during finals season.
4. DON’T SKIP MEALS TO STUDY
Yes, we’ve all done it. The thing is, we always need to eat regularly. That need doesn’t change during finals week. In fact, your body might be craving more food than normal.
Some studies say that eating regularly can improve your mood, cognitive function and memory: three things that are probably really important to you during finals week. So instead of skipping dinner tonight to study, maybe bring some food to the library with you.
5. FIND JOY IN THE LITTLE THINGS
“To help manage my stress, I balance out my overwhelming emotions with something I enjoy,” junior communication studies major Olivia Netland said. “Like a delicious cup of coffee from my favorite place.”
In my experience, a Barefoots Joe gingerbread latte can eliminate all of your stress. Just saying.
It doesn’t have to be coffee; maybe the red trees by the PAC fountain make you smile, or you feel super cozy in your new hoodie. Whatever it is, being intentional about your little pockets of joy will make a big difference in your stress levels.
6. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FRIENDS; THEY NEED IT, TOO
Socialization breaks are important! Yes, even if you’re an introvert.
You don’t have to take a weekend trip to Nashville with your roommates in the thick of finals week to get your socialization needs met. Just meeting your buddies for a quick dinner will not only manage your stress levels, but it will help your friends, too.
“I manage stress by having intentional breaks where I get to spend time with friends,” Lovins said. “Whether that is playing a game for an hour or watching an episode of our favorite TV show.”
7. MAKE CHRISTMAS PLANS!
We tend to view finals week as an end. We can’t visualize anything before or after that dreaded week: while there are still exams to be taken, it’s like nothing else exists.
It makes a big difference to have something to look forward to after the dust settles. Maybe reach out to your hometown friends, shop for gifts for your family or plan a festive activity to do with your roommates on your last day of finals!
Whatever you do to cope with finals-related stress, remember to relax. At the end of the day, your grade on that math final won’t matter as much as the memories you make with your friends this week. Work hard and try your best, but don’t break your back doing it!
Happy finals season, and Merry Christmas!
Photo by Laila Al-Hagal
