How to Avoid Burnout in College Around Finals
Posted: April 21, 2022 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 3 minutes
Finals week is among one of the most stressful times of the semester in the life of any college student. Studying takes up most of the day and by the time the test rolls around, the exhaustion has long set in. Navigating finals week and taking care of yourself can be quite a task. This finals week, try these tactics to help you avoid burnout before you take the test.
Six Ways to Reduce Stress Around Finals and Avoid Burnout in College
Catch Those Zzz
Pulling an all-nighter to study the night before your final is probably the worst thing you can do. Try going to bed early to make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Studies show that retention rates increase while you sleep, however, just a few hours of sleep won’t help much when trying to remember the entire Quadratic Formula. Consider this rest time a reward for studying so hard.
Make a Study Plan and Stick to It
Procrastination plagues every college student, but now is not the time to give in to it. Once you get your finals schedule or even just the date for one final, work out a study plan. What time do you want to study, where, and with whom? Tip! Ask your friends or roommates to quiz you on your notes. Once you have a plan in place, stick to it, even if it’s just a little every day.
Put Together a Study Playlist
From Beethoven to The Beatles to Billie Eilish, whip up a Spotify playlist that encompasses your personality and can help you attain your study goals. Put on some chill low-fi music as white noise while you go over your chemistry notes or turn up the Disney music to sing along to as you write your English paper. You could even blast “Face Off” through your earbuds to give yourself the drive and the power to get in all the studying you can.
Take Breaks
It can be overwhelming to do nothing but study and test for a week, so take some time for yourself to unwind. Go on a run, grab ice cream with a friend, or watch an episode of your favorite show. Take an hour or two to breathe and relax. If you’re feeling really stressed out, take a moment to meditate or nap to give you an extra boost.
Practice Self Care
Along with getting enough sleep, make sure you’re taking care of your other needs. Be sure you are eating enough and drinking lots of water. If you don’t want to cook during finals week, go through the drive-through for your lunch. Plan out your meals ahead of finals week so you’re not hungry and scrambling for something to eat. Talk to a counselor at CAPS if you are having trouble de-stressing over your finals or if you would just like to talk to someone.
Keep Your Cool
Don’t spend all your time stressing out over your finals. It’s okay to be nervous and want to do well, but don’t let that anxiety take over. Take a deep breath. Unclench your jaw. Relax, and everything is going to work out fine.
This is a good time to figure out what your study schedule can look like for you. Just remember to stick to your plan and relax. If you have any questions about how to plan out your study schedule, talk to someone in the Tutoring Center. Need help with an essay? Head to the Writing Center for a fresh pair of eyes! Have questions about how to relax and enough time for yourself? Talk to a counselor at Counseling and Psychological Services.
All of these resources are ready and willing to help you push through any anxieties you may have and avoid burnout in college and during finals. Don’t worry! You’ve got this!
Tags: Student Mental Health
