7 Ways to #StressLess During Finals Week

7 Ways to Be Proactive during Finals Week Study Sessions

1.     Eat Healthy Snacks to Keep Your Blood Sugar Up

The body must burn something if it is planning on staying alert and focused. It is essential to eat food that is packed in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which is found in certain fish, nuts, and olive oil. These are known for their brain-boosting potential. Actually, a study found that eating a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids before an exam, reduced test anxiety. Avoid the carbs, they tend to store energy later and make you sleepier.

2.     Study in a Group or with a Friend

Grabbing a friend or a group a friends makes studying easier. They also ensure that you stimulate your brain with chats and pokes in case you start dozing off. Choose a person to lead your study group and to be in charge of things such as snacks, breaks, and study topics. This way your group session is more productive, and you’re able to get as much work done in the short amount of time you may have.

3.     Move Around

Research indicates that if you study the same material, but in different areas, you are least likely to forget that information. This forces the brain to form new associations with the same material and become stronger in your memory. Instead of physically moving, you can also try to move around within your topics. Trying to stick to the same boring topic will most likely make you sleepy.

4.     Listen to Music with a Good Beat

If the study material you’re working on goes hand in hand with music, then playing some won’t hurt. Stick with up-beat and fast tempo, and avoid monotonous tones that’ll just lure you to sleep. Music can help to beat the stress. Try classical! It is shown to reduce anxiety and tension.

5.     Work it Out

Exercise has many brain benefits that can help you out when you’re trying to cram. Those benefits include: increasing production of neurochemicals that promote brain cell repair, improving memory, lengthening attention span, boosting decision making skills, prompting growth of new nerve cells and blood vessels, and improving multi-tasking and planning. Exercise is also proven to help you stay awake, as the extra blood flow and racing heartbeat are guaranteed to keep you alert.

  

6.     Get that SLEEP!

Eventually, after a whole day studying, it’s vital to get some sleep. With the right amount of sleep, you manage to stay alert and awake next day. Sleep also helps to improve memory and helps with retaining information. A typical adult needs at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. So next time you’re thinking about pulling that all-nighter… don’t. All that “studying” may not be that beneficial, so it may be best to just sleep.

7. Come to Rowan Campus Rec's Stress Less Week Events!

Rowan Campus Rec is hosting events from December 13th to December 19th to help you #StressLess. Group Fitness Classes will be free from December 13th-19th. On December 14th, 15th and 18th from 3-5pm we will be having "Keep Calm and Hydrate" breaks in the Rec Center lobby. We will be providing healthy snacks, tea, hot chocolate, coffee and water to help you recharge. On December 14th we will have FREE chair massages from 12-3pm in the Recreation Center. And finally on December 18th from 6pm-midnight we will be having "Keep Calm and Take a Break", where we will have a study space available, as well as pop up games to help give your brain a break. More information on all our Stress Less events can be found on our social media pages: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

-       Jenn R.

Marketing Assistant