How To: Get Through Finals!

No matter what school/homeschool/college/computerprogramonline you are a part of, this is pretty helpful.

With stress not really helping focus and memory that much, it is very important to combat the anxiety and nerves with good habits.

1. Sleep.
Yup. I can already see the majority of students saying, "Nope! I'm going to stay up till 4 am so I can get this 8 page paper done!". Yikesss. Please don't. Your brain needs sleep. Let. it. rest.

2. Fruits, Veggies and a whole lotta water. 
Eating healthy will really increase your brain capacity, and in general it will make you feel SO much better throughout the day. Also, eat breakfast. I've been guilty of skipping breakfast a lot, but honestly, it's called break fast for a reason. You need to give your body energy and fuel. Fruits and vegetables will give your body the nutrients it needs. Water helps keep you awake, and your body is made of it, so it's smart to drink. (I've read quite a few scientific articles on this one, and it's pretty common)
Tips:
a. Plan snacks ahead so that you don't snack on something bad for you. b. Nuts are really good for you. c. Get exercise! (walk instead of taking the bus) d. Get healthy portions and chew slowly.

3. Take Breaks
And then everyone cheered. Haha, but really, giving your brain a break really helps. But....only take breaks if you deserve it. Reading half a page out of 100 really won't leave you feeling productive, will it? Set goals for what you want to accomplish, and then take breaks. (Ex: Study for 30 minutes, take a break for 5 minutes) You can color, clean, eat (healthy!), exercise, or make a craft. Notice I didn't say "browse facebook" because we all know that goes longer than 5 minutes, let's be real.
Here's my personal example. Recently my leadership gave me a personalizable mug, and during my break I have decided to color (very relaxing).

This exam is for theater, just filling out a study guide. :)

4. Find the Right Place

Honestly, the most counter-productive action you can take during finals is to put yourself in an area where you know there will be distractions. Try your hardest to be in a comfortable place (not your bed), have good lighting, and have what you need with you. (and having a water bottle and trail mix doesn't hurt!) Be smart about location. Know where you can focus. And then be honest with your friends who just want to chat and hang out. 

Good luck, everyone! I hope you are able to get some work done! I know it's tough to buckle down and do homework, but it is SO rewarding. 

You can do it!

-Hannah Silver