By: Brittany Lauro;
Mosaic Editor-in-Chief
Before you start stockpiling canned goods in the basement of Miley or constructing an underground bunker equipped with ventilated gas masks, try to remember: finals are much easier than they seem. Here are some helpful tips on how to stay focused and unfrazzled.
Exercise Gives You Endorphins…
…Endorphins make you happy, happy people just don’t fail their exams. Elle Woods wasn’t lying, exercise really does release endorphins to help you feel happier and more focused. It also gives you additional energy so you can put down that fifth cup of Ma’s extra-large, light and sweet. In fact, exercise has been proven to help relieve stress and anxiety. Just 15-30 minutes is enough to help you stay calm and on track. Take a short walk on the cliff walk, visit the gym for a stroll on the treadmill, and remember to embrace Rodger’s fitness classes. On Tuesday, Dec. 18 you can enjoy an hour of yoga for $15, beginning at 5:30p.m. in the room 030. The class focuses on breathing and stretching to support not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual well-being (please go regain your sanity ).
Not willing to spend the money? YouTube has a plethora of free yoga videos and even some for relaxation.
Feel like you don’t have time to halt your studies to exercise? Bring your book or some note cards and sit back on an exercise bike.
Remember to Hydrate
Make sure you drink (WATER). Dehydration can cause headaches and unnecessary fatigue, which will definitely distract you from those biology notes on mitochondria (zZZ). Your brain works best when it is quenched, so do your body and mind a favor and remember to hydrate. Also, beware that caffeine is a liquid diarrheic (it makes you pee), and therefore it dehydrates you. For every cup of coffee you chug, make sure to have a glass of water. Feel free to click here for the best caffeine fixes in Newport.
Wake Up in the Morning Feeling Like P.Diddy
…. No. Wake up in the morning feeling refreshed. Studies have shown that sleep improves the overall quality and retention of your studying. While it may seem logical to pull an all-nighter to increase study time, it’s likely your brain won’t retain information consumed during the wee hours of the morning anyway. The average person needs somewhere between eight to 10 hours a night in order to function at full capacity. However, make sure you don’t oversleep—that can increase drowsiness and let’s be honest, it’s not a free-for-all—stay focused.
Prioritize, people!
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Preparing a schedule before you begin your studying can help keep you organized and actually reduce stress. Plan how to allocate your time and what material you need to be studying, when. It’s also not a bad idea to write out your exam schedule (the calendar app on your iPhone can do so much more than remind you when Teen Mom 2 is on). Overall, when taking many exams during the same week, it is extremely easy to confuse the times. Forgetting to show up to your exam might just be a surefire way to fail.
Take Breaks
Studies have proven that in order for the brain to grasp information, it needs time to absorb the information you keep throwing at it. Use tiny breaks to eat, sleep, communicate with other life forms, catch up on that episode of Big Bang Theory you missed, go outside and take in some natural light (shield your eyes for the adjustment)—anything to take your mind off studying.
Beware: Naps lasting longer than 20 to 30 minutes can do more harm than good. After 30 minutes of prime napping, your brain goes into REM sleep, making you more tired when you rise and try to shine.
Don’t Forget: Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 10p.m.-12a.m. Student Activities will be hosting Midnight breakfast! Education majors, it’s okay to put down the glue sticks and construction paper for an hour or so and grab some free French toast sticks.
Social Media No-Nos
Facebook won’t help you realize What It Means To Be Human, Twitter will not teach you Philosophy and Responsibility, and you know YouTube videos on Gangnam style will never improve your Christianity (or your dialogue, for that matter). Stay off social media, it’s truly embarrassing the amount of time that can be spent unconsciously reblogging cupcake and kitten pictures.
Practice some self-control people!
Food for Thought
I know the dollar menu at 1a.m. is truly tempting but it won’t help you memorize the developmental history of former Yugoslavia. It may seem like a good idea to devour fast food to save more time for studying but… you are wrong. Your body uses more energy and resources to break down heavy, greasy food than it does for healthy foods. Put down the fries and pick up some fruits, vegetables and “lean proteins” such as chicken and fish. These foods give you energy instead of uncomfortable food-babies that bog you down.
Not sure which foods to eat? Yahoo has a list of brain healthy foods for when you’re in desperate need of a pick-me-up!
Remember to Breathe
May seem obvious… but you’d be surprised.
The finals apocalypse really is survivable. Good luck !
