By Isabelle Gerhart
With the second half of the semester well underway, it may be easy to be stressed out with essays, projects, tests, and other schoolwork coming up this time of the year. I think it’s common and normal to be stressed out at this time of the year. With the goal in mind of remembering that it is okay to be overwhelmed and needing a break every now and then, I have compiled 7 tips below to help you relax and feel good in the weeks leading up to finals.
Get enough sleep. I have read multiple articles at this point documenting why sleep is important, and sleep is important for helping your memory! Turning off electronics before going to bed and avoiding exercise before bed can help.
Eat the right foods. Eating enough during the day and eating the right foods can be a huge help in keeping you awake, alert, and feeling good during class and while studying. If you know you’ve got a long day ahead of you, pack a lunch bag or snacks the day before. If you will be packing cold items, set them out in the fridge ahead of time so they will be easy to grab in the morning. I always keep a granola bar or fruit strips in my backpack for long days.
Drink plenty of water. Not having enough water can give you a headache. Drinking enough water is important!
Take breaks. I have heard before that our brains can only really focus well for about 45 minutes to an hour at most. I personally like listening to music when I study, so I tend to listen to an album when I work, then take a short break after the album ends. The timing is nice since most albums tend to be between 45 - 60 minutes. Exercising is another great break to take. Whether you do yoga, run, lift weights, or something else, being active is good for you. Getting outside and being in nature is also really important. No matter what you do when you rest, remember to breathe and give yourself some space!
Motivate yourself. Whether it’s playing a few rounds on a video game or eating a piece of candy that motivates you, give yourself something to look forward to even if it is small.
Reach out to others. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, call a family member, friend, or someone else you know who will listen to you. On Madonna’s campus, there is the CDRC, which provides counseling and one-on-one sessions if you ever need to talk. For help with school assignments, the Writing Center, the tutoring center, and TRIO could all be great resources on Madonna’s campus to turn to. Going to a professor’s office hours or emailing them with concerns and questions are also great steps to take to get clarification. Talking with your success coach or academic advisor and making a plan with them may also be helpful.
Plan ahead. When you know an upcoming week will be busy, find time to do work ahead of time if you can. Whether it’s an app, calendar, planner, sticky notes, or something else, keeping track of assignments and other obligations can help you see how much time you really have.
Hopefully one of these tips can be useful as you prepare for the end of the year. Admittedly, I may need to take my own advice when it comes to de-stressing, but I know we can make it to the end of the year together. Keep working hard and good luck, everyone! :)