How to Beat Finals Stress on a Time Budget

It’s the end of the semester and we all know what that means. Papers, projects, and finals! (Oh my!) Looking over your long list of to-do’s before school’s out, you may just want to curl up in a corner and rock yourself back to sanity. Stress is a common plague amongst college students, especially during this time of the year. In addition to lowering your mood, constant stressing can make you more prone to sickness as it lowers the immune system. Who wants to be sick while taking an exam? The problem is, with such a load of work to be done, we can find little to no time for ourselves. That being said, we have to get creative. Whether you have a few seconds or a few hours to spare, here are some quick, effective ways to beat the finals stress.

1 – 5 Minutes

Crunch time! If you’re running in between study sessions or sitting in the testing room, sit still and take a deep breath. Reassure yourself that the world is not ending and you will kick this exam’s butt. One odd, yet effective de-stresser is the “tighten-and-release” method. The point is to tense up every muscle in your body. Start by tightly curling your toes, then work your way up the leg muscles, core, arms, upper torso, and face. Don’t forget to squeeze your eyes shut. Hold nice and tight for at least ten seconds. Then slowly release every area in reverse, starting with your face and ending with your toes. The release of adrenaline will loosen any tension in your body, calming the nerves so you can focus on the task at hand.

5 – 15 minutes

Taking a quick break while writing that paper or memorizing theorems? Grab a small snack or cup of coffee to keep your brain going. Try boosting your mood by checking out some funny Youtube videos. I recommend clips of puppies or kittens, maybe even a preview for that summer flick you can’t wait to see. Just don’t let the site distract you for too long. After all, you’ve got stuff to do! A little dose of happy feelings can remind you that the pain of studying will soon be over, and you have plenty to look forward to the work is done.

15 minutes – 1 hour

If you plan on staying in one place, extending the above advice works. But if you really just want to remove the very idea of work from your mind for a short while, get out of the study area and stretch your legs. Weather-permitting, take a walk or a ride outside. The fresh air will clear your head and your body will feel much better in motion after sitting in one place for so long.

1 hour +

If you have a generous amount of time, you’ve probably just finished a big chunk of work or you really just don’t want to study anymore. At this point, I would recommend a light nap. If napping isn’t your thing, go do something that you really enjoy. Work out at the gym, watch a movie, play an instrument, make crafts, read a book, call up your parents, anything that will either reward you or get you out of a mental rut. Maybe clean up your room or start packing for break. You shouldn’t necessarily veg-out yet, since that might cause you to lose most of your motivation to get going again. Your brain should be relaxing, not melting.

Remember that taking time away from studying and preparing for finals should be constructive, not an excuse to slack off. Use your time wisely. De-stressing can help you not only keep your body healthy, but keep your mind refreshed and agile for the big test days.