Five Ways to Combat Stress During Finals

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UNH Manchester student studying in library

With finals beginning this week, we know students are feeling the end-of-semester pressure. Here are a few ways to help manage some of that stress before your well-deserved holiday break.

1. GET ORGANIZED

Create a detailed outline of everything you need to study. Sit down with a calendar and make a list of what should get done each day—the more detailed, the better. Instead of "Study psychology," write the specifics of what you need to review, like "Study concepts in chapters 3-6." Take it even further by writing out an hour-by-hour schedule, if it helps you to stay on track. This may take some more time, but staying organized helps alleviate stress because you don’t have to panic about all the things you need to get done. You may even find out that it’s not as much as you thought.

2. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

You need to take breaks—focusing on anything for too long is not actually helpful. So make sure to take a breather, even if you have to schedule them in. Watch your favorite sitcom or movie, bake a healthy treat, indulge in some youthful crafting, call a friend to chat. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it doesn’t get prolonged too much; like scrolling through Facebook or Instagram for hours. You need to take some time for yourself, but also be able to switch back to study mode.

3. SNACK ON SOMETHING HEALTHY

Stay hydrated and try not to binge on junk food. Keep a water bottle and healthy snacks like granola bars, apple slices or popcorn near your study area. Although it is better to keep your snacks on the healthy side, it is good to treat yourself once and in a while. After you finish a subject, reward yourself with something sweet or a slice of that cheesy pizza you’ve been craving.

4. FORGET THE ALL-NIGHTERS

Sleep is vital during finals week—and in general.  Aim to get the right amount of sleep for you, about 7 to 8 hours a night. Sometimes even a 20-minute power nap can help you focus better on your work.

5. ATTEND A FRAZZLE-FREE FINALS EVENT

Each semester, departments across campus join forces to give you some much-needed study breaks. Here's what they have planned this week.

Monday, December 11
  • 12-2 p.m.: Rock paining with the Campus Activity Board (CAB) in the student commons
  • 12-3 p.m.: Psychology Club coloring activity in the student commons
  • 2-5 p.m.: Free coffee from the Graduate School office on the first floor
Tuesday, December 12
  • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Candy buffet in the Center for Academic Enrichment
  • 2-5 p.m.: Free coffee from the Graduate School office on the first floor
Wednesday, December 13
  • 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Zentangles with CAB in the student commons
  • 12-1 p.m.: Breakfast for lunch in the cafe, sponsored by the Office for Student Engagement
  • 2-5 p.m.: Free coffee from the Graduate School office on the first floor
  • 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Get some love from Oreo the service dog in the student commons
Thursday, December 14
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Painting with Academic Advising in the student commons
  • 2-5 p.m.: Free coffee from the Graduate School office on the first floor
Friday, December 15
  • 2-5 p.m.: Free coffee from the Graduate School office on the first floor
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