Finals week is undoubtedly the most stressful week of the year. Between studying and worrying about final grades that teachers are scrambling to put into Infinite Campus, it can be extremely hard to stay calm throughout the week. Here are three tips to help your finals run as smoothly as possible:

1. Get a sufficient amount of sleep: It sounds like a cliché, but getting a good night’s sleep before each of your finals will exponentially improve your testing results. It might be tempting to stick to your typical routine of staying up late on your phone or watching Netflix. However, the amount of sleep you get will directly transfer into how focused you are during each of your tests. Your memory and energy are based on your focus which is dependent on the amount of sleep you get. Get some rest! You’re going to need it! Look into this article by Elliot Graham for more information about the effects of sleep deprivation.
2. Take breaks while studying: Studying for each of your finals can take hours. It is important that within those times of intense studying, you take mental breaks to recharge and refocus before going back at it. It’s very difficult to have continual focus for hours on one subject without any breaks. Little brain breaks are a necessity when studying for finals.
3. Take any opportunities to have fun: Although you are constantly being reminded to study during finals, it is also important that you take time to do activities you enjoy. Whether that be taking your dog for a walk, going out to lunch with friends, or watching a Christmas movie, you should make time to have fun. If you don’t think you would have time, go to a coffee shop with some friends and cram some last-minute studying. Finals week doesn’t have to be so intense. You can make it more enjoyable for yourself by including things you like to do in your schedule.

Finals week can be challenging. However, if you make sure to get a good amount of rest, take brain breaks while studying, and try to make the most of it, your experience will be much easier and more gratifying. Good luck!