There are strategies to use now to ease the stress of finals and the holidays
It's the most stressful time of the semester ... final exams and the holidays! Final
exams can really stress us out. If we add to that the stress of the holidays — which,
for many of us, can be a sad time — we have the perfect storm. But there are strategies
you can begin to use now to ease the burden of balancing getting through the holidays
and handling final exams.
Create a study plan and prioritize your time. Let's say that you have three papers, two exams and a major project due. Count backwards
from the due dates, determine how many days you have and divide up your time for each.
While doing so, keep in mind that you can't do everything in one day!
Recognize your limits. Are you a Liberal Arts major taking chemistry classes? Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Not everyone gets an A in every class. Use resources like tutoring and faculty office
hours. Just do the best you can.
Take time to relax. Taking a walk, playing with your kids/pets/friends, deep breathing or doing a quick
meditation session are some of the many ways we can relax between study times. Relaxation
strategies can help us have better focus and concentration when we study. Just make
sure you return to studying afterwards!
Understand that glorious, happy holidays are a myth. Don't let the media hype of the happy family holiday gathering get to you. For a
lot of us, holidays can be tough if we don't have healthy families, if we face limited
financial means or if we miss loved ones. Do one thing different this season and start
your own traditions.