It’s crazy to believe that finals week is just around the corner. Finals week is one of the most stressful times of the year, a time where students just want to pull their hair out. There is so much that comes with it from studying to remembering to find ways to take time for ourselves and just relax.
There are many ways to both study and relax and each student here on this campus has their own ways with coping and getting through this week.
“I really just try and isolate myself,” said sophomore Nate Alston of his finals study habits.
Self-care is important during stressful times like this, and it’s important to remember to practice it. You should find a technique that works for you such as taking a nap, scrolling on social media, watching a movie or TV show, or dancing around and listening to music. And always remember to eat and sleep.
“I try to take time to myself,” said sophomore Michael Corinaldi. “I don’t study for long periods of time, but if I do, I take multiple breaks to ease my mind.”
The last few weeks of the semester are also when more and more students begin to experience symptoms of sickness, such as the flu and other viruses. Practicing self-care is important, too, so you can stay as healthy as possible during these already stressful times.
Members of the College community are asked to pick up on the preventative measures to avoid illness.
Some preventive measures include “avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, do not share food or drinks, drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest,” according to a Nov. 26 campus-wide email from Acting Dean of Student Affairs Liz Towle.
If you do end up sick, to keep others healthy and to get yourself healthy again, it is recommended that you “limit contact with others, avoid the dining hall [and] utilize the Sick Tray Form and stay in your residence/home except to get medical care or other necessities,” Towle also states in the email.
First-year students may face more stress than their upperclassmen counterparts as they’ve never experienced finals at the college level.
“I [expect] to be in the library, maybe shed a tear, but then tell myself ‘you got this girl,’” said first-year Marnice Briscoe.
The First Stop Office offers many great tips and advice to students to help them survive these hectic last two weeks.
“Pick a place where you can sit down and get the work done,” said Tommy Schoolman, coordinator of first year programs. “[There’s] so many hidden places. [The] third floor connector between Eaton and Lewis, [has a] nice overlook on campus.”
The biggest thing about finals week is to find what works for you. You have to know yourself, know when you need to start studying, and know when it is time to relax and give yourself a break.
One key piece of advice that Schoolman gave was to “try not to stress, it’s not the end of the world. [As a reminder] stay healthy, reach out to the Wellness Center, and know that you are not alone, everyone is going through the same thing with you at the same time.”
If you feel as though you need help or more tips and advice, do not be afraid to reach out to your professors, friends, peer mentors, the Wellness Center, First Stop, or the Writing Center. Take advantage of your resources.
