This time of year is notorious among college campuses for breeding strange sleeping and eating behaviors due to the massive studying and stress. Fall-term finals are creeping closer, and there are a few important things to remember in order to be more efficient during finals week as well as to keep one’s sanity.
Many University of Wisconsin freshmen are especially nervous about their first final-exam period.
“I am nervous for my finals,” said Mark Anderson, UW freshman. “I don’t know how hard they can be.”
Some freshmen have already received some advice from professors and teaching assistants about the upcoming final exams.
“I was advised to skim and not go in depth, just to refresh my memory,” said freshman Matt Poliak.
There are a few things for freshmen students to keep in mind in order to make final-exams week a little easier and a little less stressful, according to other undergraduates who have taken finals in the past.
“I think that organization is one thing that makes finals easier,” Susan Sloper, a UW sophomore, said.
“Once you have a plan on how to start studying, it always works better. It is very important to set goals for yourself and set aside exactly what you want to get done each day without beginning to study the day before an exam.”
University Health Services also released several health tips to aid students for this stressful period. According to UHS, listening to music, getting a massage and stretching can reduce the amounts of tension and stress.
Other recommendations include reducing stimulants, getting at least five hours of sleep every night and 10-20 minute power naps during the day. Eating healthy and taking brief breaks from studying are also recommended.
Senior Lindsay McFarlane said, “The best strategy is finding a balance. Don’t lock yourself in the library for eight hours at a time — take some breaks! Go out to eat, or work out. You know when you are being effective and when you’re not.”
An event provided by UHS, called The Stress-Free Zone, is a free, drop-in event for students at the Memorial Union today. At The Stress-Free Zone, students can partake in relaxing activities, even napping, and enjoy snacks in order to unwind and release tension.
UHS advises students to keep an optimistic focus and to think about the “big picture” instead of the final itself. “Before the final, tell yourself that you prepared as best as you could and just be confident and prove it,” said McFarlane.
