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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Finals Freakout

** If the title of this post gives you anxiety, don't be alarmed. Read on to see ways to tackle that anxiety and prep yourself for the most stressful time of the year... finals!



For some of you finals may have already come and gone, but for many the next two weeks are those dreaded weeks. From staying up late studying to binging on everything in the kitchen, finals week can really take its toll on your health and sanity.

Tip 1 - Stock up on vitamins, fruits and veggies. If you look around you will see many people have bad allergies or develop coughs during finals week. This is because stress can cause serious damage to the immune system. Prep your immune system by eating lots of fruits and veggies and taking vitamins. Add Vitamin C if you are susceptible to colds. This will keep you in tip-top condition if you happen to miss some sleep later on.

Tip 2 - Aim for increments of 3 hours of sleep. The sleep cycle lasts an average of 1.5 hours and it is shown that you are most rested at the end of each sleep cycle. This means that if you are planning on sleeping less during finals, try to make it through at least two sleep cycles. It is often better to sleep 6 hours than 8 hours. If your goal is to pull an all-nighter, try to plan for at least 3 hours of sleep. You need time to cool your brain anyway!

Tip 3 - Please shower and primp. I am not sure when or why there was an unspoken rule created that it is acceptable for college kids to not shower during finals week but it needs to end. When you are stressing out, you are producing sweat which accumulates on your body and it is gross if you do not wash it off. Many students develop stress acne during this time so it is important to also continue with your beauty routine. Each day you should shower, wash your face, apply moisturizer to your face, apply lotion to your body, and wash your hands often. You should also continue to shave, clean your hair, and primp your self with pedicures and manicures this week. These will not only make you look better but will make you feel better about yourself.

Tip 4 - Study with music. Many studies have shown that listening to classical music will help you concentrate and retain information. I have studied with classical music and I love it; however, I have found that peaceful, relaxing tones appeal more to me. My go to study soundtrack is Overheard in a Dream by 2002 and Balance by Liquid Mind on repeat. Try it out!

Tip 5 - Do something fun! Do not spend your entire week cooped up in the library drilling yourself with flashcards over and over and over. Take an hour or two each day to step outside and walk around a bit, watch a movie with friends, or go to a group fitness class. Whatever you find enjoyable, make sure you schedule out some time to do it!


What are your tips for a successful finals week?

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