RISE Blog | Take It Easy: How to Manage Stress During Finals

By: Mary Carmen Dorantes, Peer Educator
May 5th, 2022

We are in a time when tears become a daily doing and “stress bragging” is the talk amongst peers. While finals may hold an amusing intensity, the negative impact that stress has on students' mental health is not. Anxiety reaches its peak and a social environment such as the library can only do so much. There are plenty of blog posts explaining how to study and be successful during finals, but very few go over self-care in times like these. It is important to remember that this is all temporary and that the real priority is health and wellbeing.

Here are just a few tips to sustain your sanity:

Have a Self-Care Plan

As much as you meticulously plan study dates and library time, you must also lay out a self-care plan. Small things like hourly stretches or preparing healthy snacks can make a big difference when sitting for long study hours. The best person to organize skirmishes and satisfactions is you, so note it willingly. When that overwhelming feeling of pressure emerges, knowing what steps to take may help stabilize your thinking.

Listen to Your Body

Tunnel vision is very common during finals week. Life becomes a continuous spiral of notes, PowerPoints, and chapter reviews. As a result, our digestive system and sleep schedule might go downhill. It's important to be mindful of physical needs and intuitively act on what feels right. If the day looks good in Lubbock, TX, go for a walk. There is an abundance of benefits that come from the sun. If your body says it's tired of screentime, go to sleep. When the eyes began to shut and the head starts to drift, getting more sleep than usual recharges the body for the next day.

Find a Friend

Because we are of the homosapien species, we need to socialize to function. Establishing a support system with a good friend changes the outlook of struggle. Setting up a comfortable study environment and getting a snack together is a great way to take a mindful break. It also allows you to check up on friends who are going through a tough time. When the going gets tough, voice it out, and encourage those around you to prioritize their wellbeing too.

Remember, this is all temporary. Your grades do not reflect your self-worth. School does not determine your life, only a career. It may be hard right now, but you are resilient. If you need help, don't be afraid to reach out to a friend or the resources that TTU provides (listed below). You do not have to go through this last and final week alone. Plug in your headphones and get those index cards ready. You got this, take it easy.

 

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