Survival 101
I didn’t find a definition for finals week in Merriam-Webster Dictionary, so I offer these two for your consideration:
Finals week (n.):
- the day(s) in a student’s life where each minute is accounted for, caffeinated drinks replace water, the most unhealthy foods are consumed, and after the last final, a great sense of accomplishment overwhelms the student knowing that the student completed every last detail to the best of their ability, usually resulting in a temporary hibernation.
- the day(s) in a student’s life where the student loses their mind from over exhaustion, suffers from loss of sense of time from the stress of responsibilities, possibly resulting in stress sleeps where, instead of completing every duty assigned, the student’s brain turns off and is induced in a long unscheduled nap, thus leaving the student feeling unprepared and disappointed.
As you know, finals are looming, making us crazy and driving us to unusual habits (i.e. sleeping in odd positions and places, craving Alberto’s Tacos at 1 a.m., drinking coffee every two to four hours, etc.). It’s amazing that the necessities and priorities of everyday life outside of our studies are almost all flipped with the stress of completing academic requirements. Each person really needs a “Surviving Finals Week” guide or checklist to organize and keep him or her from giving into the second definition of “finals week” listed above. In a big picture approach to conquering finals week, I have decided a few things are the most important and will aid me in coming out on top. Maybe they will help you, too.
1. Don’t forget to immerse myself in God’s word. As I grow busier and increasingly stressed, I am tempted to cut out the most vital time of my day, because—as my naturally arrogant heart would say—I’m obviously living and breathing, so I can accomplish all my responsibilities on my own. I’m encouraging myself and those close to me to dive into God’s word to get closer to Him in the midst of this stress, because He is the ultimate conqueror and giver of all things. This time of my day is the most precious, really needed and gives me a perspective that will put the trivial, worldly things into their rightful place: at the foot of Calvary’s cross.
2. Scour the pockets of clothes and couch cushions for loose change. When I am stressed, I immediately crave Cheetos®, ice cream, In-n-Out and chocolate. It’s like a light switch: “Oh, you’re stressed,” says my brain. “Here, let’s load you up with insatiable cravings and yearnings for junk food.” Literally, those are the worst foods for me during Finals Week. That loose change is going to buy satisfying fruit and vegetables to snack on as I practice piano and vocal music, or study for tests (I’m attempting to trick my mind into thinking the crunch of celery is actually the crunch from a potato chip… Shh! Don’t tell!). Some of my professors have recommended bananas right before a test to physically relax the muscles and give a boost of natural sugar to increase brain activity. Is that completely accurate? I don’t know, but it gives me an excuse to eat a wonderfully sweet snack, possibly alongside peanut butter, depending on my mood.
3. Reviving the idea of “Bed Time.” I know that after 11 p.m., my brain is useless and refuses to function. (Un)fortunately, trying to stretch its capacity during Finals Week is not going to yield great results. Uninterrupted sleep during the hours of 10 p.m. and about 4 a.m., for me and others who have experimented with this, has proven higher functionality during the day with increased energy levels, metabolism and detoxification. Let me challenge you to call it a night by 10 p.m. and wake up as early as 4 or 5 to finish that assignment you were stumped on the night before. Surprisingly, you will find your mind is alert and fully functioning. Make it a habit, and you will notice a drastic difference in the smallest ways, such as lack of illness, higher energy levels throughout the day and less grouchiness
4. Become a fish. Water, water, water! Increase the intake of water. Fill a water bottle with this clear liquid rather than coffee or soda, and it will wean out any nasty toxins in the body and give you something to sip on constantly. Not only will it help fight off the Sandpaper Throat (as I like to call it), but also it will prevent you from falling asleep in those last lectures before final exams!
These few points are vital to my success and survival of this week, and I challenge those also enduring end-of-the-semester stress to come up with a short list of big picture ideas to aid in their domination of the last few days we have. I’m going to write my own list on my hand, a mirror, sticky notes, my laptop, wherever I can to remind myself of the key ingredients to success. I am determined to make this week a piece of cake!
Now go back to the beginning and read the two definitions for finals week again. Which one are you going to choose for yourself?
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