Every student is in the final stretch right now and there’s not much left to go. Still, sometimes we feel trapped. There’s too many papers to write, too many tests to study for and too much on our mind to make a single clear thought. So how do we get through these final, grueling days? There are a few methods to get spirits up when we need them most.
Faith. This is a big one. Faith doesn’t have to mean religion, but it can. If you have a deity you turn to when you’re downtrodden, absolutely do it. Prayer and meditation have both been shown to have positive effects when we’re struggling to see the end of our stress.
NBC News has covered this topic and wrote, “‘Praying involves the deeper parts of the brain: the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex — the mid-front and back portions,’ says Dr. Spiegel, adding that this can be seen through magnetic image resonance (MRI), which render detailed anatomical pictures. ‘These parts of the brain are involved in self-reflection and self-soothing.’”
Faith also means having faith in yourself. The reality is that we are so much more tenacious than we credit ourselves with. Think of everything you’ve been through, everything you’ve survived, everything you’ve conquered and remember that you can do this. You can finish that paper. You can ace that test. You can make it through these next few days. You can do anything if you have faith in yourself.
Another tactic for beating the end of term bog-down is to reflect on what is making you feel so bad. Is it anxiety? Lack of motivation? Frustration? It could even be all of the above. Ultimately, by focusing on what is getting you down, you’re better able to cope with whatever it is. If you’re frustrated with your workload, you have to remember to pace yourself. If you have 10 pages, write two pages every day for five days or something similar.
Lack of motivation? A points system is sure to get you moving. Give yourself a point for every hour spent studying and have 10 points equal a reward. Pizza or time to hangout with friends are two good examples of ways to reward yourself. Anxiety is something everyone faces around this time. Finals are terrifying, but ultimately, it’s like the big bad at the end of the battle, and you can beat it. With the right amount of studying and the right amount of focus, tests can be a breeze. Not to mention, you’ve made it this far. You just have to push a little further.
Finally, don’t forget to take a break, get up and stretch. It’s easy to slip into cram-mode during finals season. Don’t forget that you’re also a human being. Everyone needs a break and it’s even recommended to do so.
Psychologytoday.com has researched this topic and wrote, “The benefits of taking brief movement breaks have been well-researched. Constant sitting—whether at your desk, the TV or the lecture hall—puts you at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression and obesity. Just a five minute walkabout break every hour can improve your health and well-being.”
This is important to remember because it’s so tempting to curl up on the bed with phone in hand for a “break.” However, it’s much healthier to take a “movement break” and do some quick yoga or go for a run between studying sessions.
Finals are hard, and no one will ever dispute that, but you can do it. Use these tips to your advantage, and study hard. Good luck everyone.
bonavent@sbu.edu
