Four Ways to Help Keep Stress out of Finals

With finals right around the corner, Shenandoah University wants to help you be well prepared for the stress that comes with the end of the school year. To keep stress away, here are four tips for handling finals!

1. Start now. Prepare yourself.

   Preparation is key. If you have big assignments, now is the time to begin. Start looking at your assignments and preparing what you can do every day to make them easier. Study for that test that you are concerned about. Start that paper now. Do not procrastinate.

   When I think of stress, I always think that being preventative is the key. It’s really taking the time to know what you can do for the things that stress you out. With finals, you’re still going to have stress, but the way you handle it can really help.”

   Allison Collazo, M.A. | Counseling Center Director

   I see a lot of students that procrastinate. I give a lot of very comprehensive study guides that could be completed well before finals week. I don’t often see students taking advantage of that. I wish students would prepare earlier.”

   Rodney Bragdon, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Psychology

2. Practice self-care.

   The most important thing that you can do to reduce stress is to take care of yourself. This includes your physical health and your mental health. You may think that pulling all-nighters and downing energy drinks will help you get through this week but it will be more beneficial to get rest and eat healthily.

   I’m a big believer in positive mental wellness behaviors. That includes eating well, getting good sleep, taking time for yourself and your passions, as well as getting exercise. Those are all things that we need to be doing consistently across our lives. A lot of times in our world, we get stressed because we have so much on our plate. When that happens, [self-care] seems to be one of the first things we push aside to get our work done. I think it’s trying to maintain those healthy positive behaviors that will really help students manage their stress.”

   Rodney Bragdon, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Psychology

3. Use time management strategies.

   We’ve all been there. The week before finals arrive is when seemingly everything is due. In addition, the amount of studying that you have to do for finals is double that of anything that you have done in the rest of the semester.  

   In addition to helping you block out time to work on your assignments, time management is also a great way to get time for self-care in the day.

   You have to be able to manage your responsibilities. Time management includes getting stuff done as well as taking that time for yourself.”

   Rodney Bragdon, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Psychology

   Bragdon recommends working for thirty-minute bursts with breaks in between for maximum productivity.

   Even if you have a day where you have so much going on, marking downtime for each thing, including time for yourself, can help. If you don’t make the time, it will only make you more stressed out.”

   Allison Collazo, M.A. | Counseling Center Director

4. Take Advantage of Shenandoah University’s Relaxing Resources

   From the Relaxation Room in Cooley to the Brandt Student Center Fitness Room, Shenandoah University offers many options to blow off some steam. Or, if you need someone to listen to your worries, the Counseling Center is ready to help.

   Worried about jobs? Make an appointment with the Career Services office.

   In addition, The Office of Student Engagement is hosting its “Destress For Success” events again this semester. Events will include pet therapy, a chance to make your own origami, and shoulder and neck massages.  See the events calendar for more information.

Shenandoah University is here to help you have the best finals. Remember, take a deep breath, and enjoy your last week of the fall 2018 semester.