Get Creative!

The end of the semester is a hard time for all of us. It may just be me, but for the majority, I would say students feel that professors utilize this final month of classes as an opportunity to cram in as much information as they can before finals week. And dead week? Yeah right. There's nothing dead about it. 

Don't get me wrong, we should appreciate the knowledge our professors want to pour out on us. It shows they care for our education. Our teachers true goal is to make sure we complete our course to its fullest extent and that we get as much out of what we're learning as possible. This final month of stress induced hair pulling is a good thing (whether we care to admit it or not).

Unfortunately, the stress we feel in the weeks leading to finals may inhibit our creativity. For starters, the average student won't get enough sleep. With all the projects, assignments, presentations, and tests that must get done, there's simply no time. The result is a campus full of zombies who are just trying to get by. Here are some healthy tips to keep your mind awake, alert, and active as you pull through these final weeks. 

Move Around

It is scientifically proven that when you sit still, your mind sits still. Get moving! Taking a break to walk around or even just a change in scenery helps your brain wake up. It's also important to change your routine from time to time. Study in a new place or rearrange your furniture to make it look like a new room. Anything to change your normal routine will give you inspiration for fresh thinking!

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Stress reduces our ability to think clearly. The more you allow yourself to stress over deadlines, assignments, and finals, the less information you'll be able to retain. Happy thoughts stimulate an open mind than can process new ideas more efficiently. You'll also find yourself creatively tackling those situations that require your best critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Take A Break

As busy as us students get, there's always enough time to take a break. When you're stuck or feel like you absolutely can not shove another ounce of information in your brain, take a step back. Even just 10 minutes of listening to music or talking with a friend (maybe even a Netflix episode) can help renew your mind and allow you to take on the problem from a different direction.

Nap

Just as I said before, there's always time for a break. A fifteen minute nap can do WONDERS for your brain. When you get stuck, let your mind rest. When you wake up, you'll feel rejuvenated enough to study a few more hours. Also wouldn't hurt to throw a cup of coffee in there...

Work With Your Peak of the Day

Find that time of the day where you feel your brain works the best and plan your studies accordingly. If you work better at night, save your tougher assignments for that time of the day, and vice versa. Of course, when there's so much going on on campus and so many assignments to get done, you don't have room to be too particular with this rule. Just be smart and do your best to prioritize.

And finally, do whatever you can to remove anxiety from your life. That's nearly an impossible request, I know, but one can try. Following these steps can at least help reduce your worries and get you through these last few weeks of this semester. Good luck to all in the upcoming finals week!