Tips for Crushing Finals Week

As we wrap up the semester’s classes and dive into finals week, it can feel like pushing through the final stretch of a marathon. We have already put in countless hours on homework, projects, and note taking, and now it is time to put our newfound skills to the test. Here are a few tips to manage stress levels and make the most of your study sessions this finals week:

1. Practice healthy habits: although it is tempting to put your healthy habits on the back burner in favor of some extra study minutes during finals week, holding on to them can actually improve academic performance. Be sure to eat nutritious foods, exercise, and get enough sleep at night. I really enjoy breaking up my study time with short walks to get exercise without throwing my schedule off.
2. Try out different study methods: consider mixing up the method that you use to study. Sometimes, it can be hard to stick to the same exact thing for hours (or days) on end. Trying a new method (like the ones linked here or others) can help keep you engaged and to retain material more effectively. My favorite is the Pomodoro method, where I break up my studying into chunks of time so that I can incorporate short breaks.
3. Consider putting your phone in another room: when your phone is sitting on your desk right next to your textbook, it can be hard to resist the urge to pick it up when your mind starts to wander. It has been found that the mere presence of your phone can be distracting and have negative impacts on memory (even if you manage to resist the urge to pick it up). Placing your phone in another room or in an out-of-sight location can help mitigate these effects.
4. Connect with friends and family: if feelings of stress related to finals week get overwhelming, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family to chat. Socialization can have positive impacts on mental health and is important to incorporate into our finals week routines. 
5. Take advantage of university resources: check the Emory University Center for Student Wellbeing for mental wellbeing resources. These are here for you to utilize, so do not hesitate to explore them. Remember that your performance this finals week does not define you and that your mental health comes first!