Prioritize Your Wellbeing this Finals Season
By Caroline Fay
As finals season approaches, feelings of stress are running through campus. Each day we get closer and closer to finals week, the lingering tension grows stronger. Unfortunately, the increase in work being demanded from our classes can take away from the time we spend on self-care. I have recognized the tendency for students to stop participating in the activities and rituals that they admire most in order to allot more time studying. I am guilty of this myself. During midterms week, I often put my gym schedule and healthy eating habits aside in order to cram more early morning study sessions. Yet, in the end, the extra hours spent studying created an inevitable feeling of burnout by the end of the week. It would have been better for my mental and physical health to follow the self-care routines that make me feel my best.
During the last few weeks of this semester, I will make my health and wellbeing a priority. Taking the time to go to the gym, eat healthy meals, and spend time with my friends are goals that I am setting for myself each week as we approach finals. Though these goals may seem simple and small, they serve as important reminders for me to take care of myself. I recommend reflecting on your own daily rituals that make you feel your best. For me, exercise is important both for alleviating stress and also for increasing confidence. Eating healthy meals with fruits and vegetables is beneficial for obtaining the proper nutrition needed to function efficiently, especially important when studying for exams. Also, saving time to spend with friends may seem insignificant, yet socializing with those who bring you joy and comfort is essential in creating a positive atmosphere amidst the stress on campus.
Before we enter the depths of finals season, why not take the time to set your own self-care goals? Create a list of goals that you want to remember once the inevitable overwhelm of tests and assignments kicks in. Whether in your head, on paper, or your phone, reflecting on these values increases the likelihood that you prioritize your wellbeing over the fear of finals. Here are some more examples of goals I would like to incorporate each week:
Call a family member
Clean your room
Prioritize your sleep
Listen to a podcast
Reach out to a friend
Implementing self-care rituals into your week can be the cure for finals stress. Remember, you will perform your best when you feel your best!
