10 ways to stay stress free during finals
| 2 min read
Christmas is coming but so are finals for college students around Michigan. The holiday season can be more overwhelming than fun. I was studying for college finals at MSU just two Decembers ago and still remember the countless late nights I spent cramming at the library. Below are some of the ways I tried to cope with the stress:
1. Exercise – Head to the gym or go for a walk outside even for just 30 minutes, it is one of the best ways to relieve stress.
2. Sleep – Research says skimping on sleep can affect concentration and alertness, so it might be a good idea to catch a few z’s instead of camping out at the library all night.
3. Go outside – When I was in college my friends and I would go outside and throw snow balls at each other in the winter or lay in the sun in the spring, the fresh air always felt great.
4. Clean up – If you are like me your room or desk is probably a complete mess by the end of the semester. Take time to clean up and maybe your head will clear up too.
5. Jam to Music – Whether I listen to relaxing piano music or bouncing dance beats my mood instantly lifts. Find a playlist and have a dance party to lift your spirits when you get home from the library.
6. Watch sports – College basketball is warming up and it’s bowl season, find a game to watch for an hour or two.
7. Do absolutely nothing– Turn off all your electronics and chill out.
8. Eat fruits and veggies – Add more fruits and veggies to your diet for more energy.
9. Drink water – Consider drinking more water to stay hydrated and cut back on anxiety.
10. Take short breaks while you’re studying – Every couple of hours take 10 minute breaks to stretch or walk around.
As I wrote this blog, I realized I have three younger siblings studying for finals right now. I asked each of them if they have any tips:
- Veronica Battersby, a freshman musical theater major at Oklahoma City University said, “I listen to music and take one day at a time.”
- Patty Battersby, a junior history major at the University of Michigan said, “I’ve found walking 30 minutes a day and drinking a lot of water reduces my anxiety during finals.”
- Brian Battersby, a first year law student at Michigan State University said, “I do everything I can to know the material inside and out.”
What are your study tips?
Photo credit: cdk
