Many students feel overwhelmed at the end of the quarter. Although this time can be hectic, there are things students can do to help ease the stress of finals week.
Confirm the date and time of your examsIt seems like a no-brainer, but the dates and times of exams can change at some point during the term.
Check the course information on the Ohio State Web site regularly, as that information tends to be updated most frequently. And when in doubt, ask your instructor.
Eat, sleep and exerciseGetting a solid amount of sleep is vital to reducing stress; seven or eight hours per night of sleep are recommended to stay alert. Generally speaking, students are better off sleeping than staying up all night trying to cram barely-recognizable material. Sleep deprivation has effects similar to intoxication, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to make mistakes.
Try to eat well during this time. Getting the right nutrients helps maintain energy and concentration, but bingeing on junk food can lead to sluggishness and illness.
Program director at the Student Health and Services Wellness Center at OSU, Constance Boehm, said exercise reduces stress because it helps balance out the body’s natural chemicals. A 30-minute jog or trip to the gym helps to improve focus and speeds metabolism.
RelaxStress leads to crankiness and low concentration, so try to keep it to a minimum. According to the University of Texas’ Web site, the top-four non-academic stressors are relationships, parents, financial obligations and roommates. If possible, deal with these worries before finals so they don’t interfere with studying.
Avoid distractions and study smartDistractions are everywhere – TV, radio and Internet are particularly alluring when there’s actual work to be done. Avoid them by heading to a place with few distractions, such as a library or café.
Starting Sunday of finals week, students can study all night at the Younkin Success Center (located at 1640 Neil Ave.) and the Science and Engineering Library is open 24 hours a day (make sure to bring your BuckID after 11:30 p.m. to get in). Both areas offer small rooms for study groups.
Set realistic goals – instead of declaring the next six hours study time, aim for two hours of studying followed by a half-hour break. Above all, resist the urge to vegetate in front of the TV or computer.
“Stay away from Facebook,” said Anthony Tipton, a freshman in health science exploration. “I know I can spend hours on there without even realizing it.”
Use your resourcesProfessors and teaching assistants often extend office hours during finals week, so be sure to take advantage of that time to ask for any last-minute help or advice.
If old exams are available, use them to study.
Rachel Lichtenfeld can be reached at [email protected].
