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Dealing With Stress During Finals

It’s nearly the end of the semester and finals are right around the corner. Final projects, papers, and exams are due in just a few weeks and it can be very overwhelming. For many students, this is their last round of finals -- the last hurdle between themselves and their degree. Others have just begun their journey in higher education, and finals are what will make or break their GPA for the next three years. No matter where you are working towards your degree, finals week is stressful.

Even if you’ve been putting in the work all semester, finals can get the better of you. This is the most stress inducing time for college students around the world but there are a few easy ways to manage that stress:

  1. Exercise!

I know it’s a lot easier to stay home and become a couch potato, but even minimal exercise can be good for your mental health. Escape from the fluorescent lighting of your dorm room and take a walk. You’ll release endorphins and also get a nice break from studying.

  1. Keep up with your hobbies

Finals week shouldn’t be all about studying. Yes, prepare yourself for your exams, but don’t forget to take breaks. Don’t forget about the things you love in pursuit of your dreams.

  1. Get some sleep

Don’t pull all-nighters! Staying up all night will not make your grades better. In fact, usually sleep deprivation makes your grades worse. Sleep deprivation also works to worsen your mental health. Keep getting the recommended eight hours of sleep for your mental health’s sake.

  1. Practice self care

No, you don’t have to do face masks and take bubble baths, but you should treat yourself. For some of us, this means curling up in bed with a good book. For others, it means getting a 7-Eleven Slurpee and a bag of chips. Indulge yourself for finals week if for nothing else.

  1. Reach out to someone

Don’t let stress make you shut down. Call someone you care about and talk to them instead of letting the stress build up. Let people in.


No matter what you do during finals week, do your best. If you’ve been working hard all semester, your hard work will pay off.




By Celeste Holmes

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