How to Reduce Stress Before, During and After Finals

Final exams are stressful, whether you are a freshman or a senior. There is no point in denying it. It’s the very last test you’ll have for your class and sometimes, it can determine if you get that “A” versus a “B” or even determine if you pass or fail. That is a scary thought many students have and tend to stress out before and other students still stress out after the exams are done. Here are some tips on reducing stress:

·        Take a Deep Breath Exams do NOT define you as a person or as a student.

·        Eat healthy Pizza and soda are not the best choices for eating when your body and mind needs fuel. A few examples are fruits, vegetables, yogurt, seeds, nuts, and lean meats. Everybody and each body is different so you will need to figure out what works best for you. You don’t need to make a big chance in your diet. Take baby steps.

·        Cut back on caffeine, especially if you are using it to cram for exam. Caffeinated drinks usually have sugar and that can make you have a crash. You don’t want to have a crash during an exam. There are many other unpleasant side effect of too much caffeine.

·        Catch some Z’s If you have time to sneak in a 20 minute nap during the day. It can refresh you and help you focus. The best time to get your z’s is at night time. Relax at least 15 minutes (or for how long it takes for you to relax) before you go to bed. Set the mood for sleeping. Turn out or dim the light, listen to relaxing music, read a book, or whatever works to let your body know it’s about time to rest.

·        Get Moving! Sometimes, sleeping isn’t the answer. Exercising is a great way to get moving. There are many other physical activities that can help with de-stressing. Some people like yoga and others like Zumba. And don’t forget boxing for an aggression outlet.

·        Mediate Quiet time and deep breathing can do wonders to de-stress and get oxygen to the brain. If you can’t find a quiet space, use headphones with relaxing music and focus within.

·        Haha! Laugh! Laughing releases endorphins, which are nature’s happy hormones. If you can, watch a comedy show, a funny movie, or even a silly YouTube video to get you laughing.

·        Catch up with family and friends Take a visit with your family or hang out with your friends. If you can’t do that, try giving them a call or use other means such as Skype, Twitter, or Facebook. There are so many ways to contact those who matter the most. Don’t be a stranger!

·        Treat Yourself You have work hard to get to where you are now and you deserve to treat yourself. You can go out to eat or get a massage to relieve the tension. There are usually things at campus to help you de-stress. Check out the Moosebytes or check the bulletin boards!

·        Talk to Your Peer Mentor Don’t forget you have a resource here in Cornerstone or with counselors on campus! They are here to listen and help you get through the stressful times. Just call or send an email!

Don’t let the finals overpower you. Exams are just that, exams. If you work hard on grasping the material for the exam, you’ll do just fine! Just don’t forget to take a break or two to refresh yourself. A happy student does better than a miserable one. Good luck on these finals!