Sunday 8 June 2014

HOW TO SURVIVE FINALS BY MINIMISING STRESS


How To Survive Finals By Minimising Stress.

One day some evil person decided to invent a thing called finals. During this time, most students are united in a state of self-doubt and stress. I have some tips for you to help minimise your stress levels and get through your exams.

1. Make a study timetable, but don’t overload yourself.
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Just don’t do this kind of thing^^. Read the rest of this post and fit some of my stress relief tips into your timetable and you will find that your study sessions go a lot better.

2. Start the day properly.
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Get up and make your bed (sorry Mum, I do not iron my bedsheets). This will stop you from being tempted to climb back in and sleep all day. You will thank yourself for it when you get into bed at night. Open your curtains and let some natural light in. This will help you wake up and increase your Serotonin levels.

3. Get washed and dressed.
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The simple task of personal hygiene can be totally forgotten about during finals, but if you just take 15 minutes to give yourself a quick shower you will feel much more relaxed.

4. Eat some brain food.
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No, not literally brains (I know we all look like zombies at this time of year). Lots of sugary snacks will make you crash quickly, so eat healthy nuts and fruits as you study to keep your energy levels up. If your are really craving some chocolate then go for it, but remember that moderation is key. You can try a graze box for free by clicking here.

5. Get some fresh air.
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Going for a short walk and getting a bit of sunshine will boost your mood and get you energised for your study session.

6. Abstain from alcohol.
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Don’t damage your brain cells at this crucial time. Drinking to get away from your stress is an unhealthy way to cope and can lead to more serious problems. Wait until your exams are finished and you can have a drink to celebrate.

7. Treat yourself.
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If you are getting a bit isolated sitting at your desk all the time, go to a cafe and have a wee treat with a friend. Chatting about what is going on in your life will give you a lot of relief. And you deserve that chocolate milkshake after all the nuts and fruit you have been munching!

8. Take a break.
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Schedule breaks properly. Don’t sit and play Nintendo for hours on end; Hyrule can wait. Instead reward yourself by reading one article from your favourite magazine. If your energy levels are getting really low then have something sugary to perk you up for your next burst of studying, but don’t go overboard on the sugar!

9. If you must procrastinate, do something productive.
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When I just can’t get my studying started, I pick a simple task on my to-do list instead. Today I decided to do laundry before starting my studying. It is nice to have the smell of fresh cotton in my room, and having a shorter to-do list takes some stress away from life in general. Then you can get back to the books knowing you haven’t been wasting your time.

10. If you live in Halls, speak to your RA.
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(Yes, I am an RA). If there is too much noise in your corridor, or if you feel like you are really struggling to manage your stress, talk to your RA. We are trained in helping you through these times and we have done plenty of finals ourselves. Don’t suffer in silence.

11. Get a good night of sleep.
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I use Badger Sleep Balm every night to help me get off to sleep. My mum has always told me lavender is the best for getting you drift off, and it is definitely worth trying. I got mine for £4.29 here. (And aren’t you glad you made your bed this morning?!).

12. Final tip.
If you are experiencing high levels of stress and are unable to manage it properly, speak to your student support service about help groups and relaxation methods. Also, do not be afraid to speak to your doctor if you feel depressed or are having panic attacks. Becoming ill is nothing to be ashamed of, and your doctor can help you.

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