10 Tips to Reduce Finals Stress

Test taking is probably one of the most stressful aspects of school. So we thought a couple of tips for studying stress-free are necessary to make your finals experience a little better.

1. Stay Organized
Yes, it’s hard. But when you are stuck in a situation with back-to-back tests, organization is necessary. Some suggestions for this include color coding your notes, using Post-its to mark important material, and creating lists/schedules to make sure you study what you’re supposed to study.

2. Start Studying Early
When your teacher tells you to study throughout the unit you’re learning, it often sounds unnecessary. The weeks ahead don’t cry out with urgency; however, it’s important to take this advice seriously. Reviewing a little bit of each subject every day can really help as you get closer to your inevitable test. You will feel much more prepared and be happier with yourself if you start studying early instead of trying to cram a whole unit’s worth of learning into one night.

3. Create a Productive Atmosphere
One of the worst things you can do when studying is get distracted. First, put your phone in another room so you aren’t tempted to use it. Some things to help you stay focused are listening to soothing or classical music, lighting a candle, and organizing your notes by subject. A more relaxed atmosphere can lead to more productive studying.

4. Get Exercise or Take a Walk
You may know that exercise can improve your physical health, but did you know it can also stimulate your brain? It’s important to get 60 minutes of exercise each day, so you might as well kill two birds with one stone and take a study break to get some exercise or go on a long walk. You’ll be able to refresh as well as clear your mind and go on a quick getaway from schoolwork.

5. Sleep
If you’re planning on pulling an all-nighter the night before a test, think again. The key to efficient studying and feeling healthy is to get a lot of sleep. According to The National Sleep Foundation, teenagers need around 8-10 hours of sleep per night in order to function properly. A good night’s sleep will go a long way in the study process.
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6. Eat Right
Ever heard the term “you are what you eat?” Well, by eating brain-boosting foods, you can make sure you turn into a healthy, studious student. Avocados, blueberries, dark chocolate, and celery are just a few of many foods you can eat that will give you energy for an efficient study session. Maybe this healthy eating for your next test can even turn into a new lifestyle!

7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water can relieve fatigue, improve mood, treat headaches/migraines, flush out toxins, and more. All of these things help with the focus and retention necessary during studying. Water is clearly pretty awesome, so make sure to stay hydrated and drink up!

8. Play with Puppies
Animal therapy is a real remedy for stress.  During midterms and finals, Stanford University actually creates a place for students to play with puppies to help relieve their stress. So whether this is going downstairs and giving your dog some love or heading out to a pet store, this is one fun, easy, and very cute remedy to stay stress free.

9. Take a Breath
Although you may think you breathe all the time, taking concentrated breaths or working through breathing exercises is extremely effective at clearing your mind and lessening your stress levels. Whenever feeling stressed, just take a few long breaths in and out and you’ll be surprised by how much better you soon feel.

​10. Create a Routine
Creating a schedule and sticking to it can make life a lot easier. When you have a basic routine to slip into, you don’t have to worry about what to do and when to do to it. Although this can get boring, when it comes to studying, having a schedule is often the best way to stay both focused and organized.

School and studying in general is hard. But, hopefully, with these tips we can help make the process a bit more bearable.

​By KENDALL GAYNES and RICHA MEHRA
FROM THE (HARRISON) HUSKY HERALD