The weather is beautiful, the ARC pool has just opened and the bars have been packed, but the dark cloud of finals week is looming in every student’s brain. Students have felt a weight placed on their shoulders in the past few weeks, which won’t be lifted until their last Scantron is bubbled in.
Finals are stressful, especially if a grade is dependent on the final exam. It’s easy for students to become completely consumed with tests and papers during finals week, resulting in all work and no play.
“I’m less happy during finals because all I do is study, and I’m just waiting for them to be over,” said Nick Galich, senior in Business.
All of this unhappiness can have a negative toll on the test taker, making studying less effective and ultimately, receiving a lower grade on the exam.
“It affects me positively when I’m happy during a test because if you go into the test knowing that you’re going to do well, then you’re going to feel better and try harder,” said Claire Fleming, junior in Education.
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There are some simple steps that students can take to influence their mood throughout finals week, starting with study breaks.
“I take good breaks. Maybe just watch a show or movie when I have a chance to keep my mind off of it,” said Galich.
Studying is more effective when done in smaller amounts of time. By rotating studying with breaks, a student is able to retain more information. Also, doing something that they enjoy during those breaks, they’ll put a smile on their own face.
Exercise is also a great stress reliever. This doesn’t, however, mean that students have to spend hours at the gym during finals week.
“I walk everywhere,” said Meghan Sutter, freshman in LAS. “I stop taking the bus to get some more exercise in.”
It’s also recommended to eat well during finals weeks and while studying. When fueling the body, a person is also fueling their mind. By avoiding junk food, one will feel better after eating and their brain will be in a better mood also.
By staying happy during finals, a student can make more use of their time and not go into “freak-out mode.”
“It’s important to be happy because you can manage your time well, not get distracted, and focus on what you need to get done,” Galich said.
