As finals claw their way closer and closer, you may feel yourself starting to sweat. While finals may be stressful for college students, a little preparation can go a long way. While studying for your exams is more than important, gathering some necessary supplies ahead of time can make moving through that week a little bit easier.
Here are some suggestions for constructing your own finals survival kit.
Snacks that won’t kill you
As much as we all want to live off Kit Kats and cookie dough, those probably aren’t the best options for brain fuel while you’re studying. Because finals week can typically feature a lot of late night studying and, if you’re not careful, meal skipping, it might be best to plan for and gather snacks ahead of time. Nuts, pretzels and granola are healthier and filling options that you can stock up on ahead of time. The weekend before the big tests, consider going to the store to buy some of your preferred fruits and veggies. Buying pre-cut produce and some on-the-go dressing can help guarantee that you won’t sell out on sugar during finals week.
Tissues to catch your tears
Big kids cry, too—particularly college kids. A box of scented Kleenex may come in handy as you sob over your term papers. All jokes aside, let this box of tissues be a reminder that it’s okay to feel stressed from finals or the pressure that they can sometimes bring. It’s also okay to talk about this stress with friends, family or counselors at Henderson Student Counseling Centers, whose 24/7 hotline is 954-424-6911.
Caffeine and a few substitutes
Seattle’s Best Coffee can definitely be considered an ally during this time of year, but you don’t have to depend on coffee alone. Before finals week, consider stocking up on some alternatives to coffee, like green tea and lemon water, that can give you an energy boost when the line at Starbucks is inconveniently long. Water is universally accessible on campus, so all you’ll need is a mug and your preferred tea bag. While lemon water and green tea also provide some benefits to the immune system, keep in mind that too much caffeine, no matter the source, can have negative effects like anxiety or shakiness.
Several pairs of clean pajamas
Comfort is key when it comes to finals. Make sure you have at least one pair of clean pajamas to get through each day of finals week. If you aren’t a fan of pajamas in public, you can also opt for stocking up on an array of t-shirts, gym shorts and leggings — whatever makes you feel most comfortable. This can make the seemingly nonstop hours of studying, writing and last minute preparations seem easier. Comfortable clothes are also more convenient to sleep in, so they might serve as a nice reminder to take a nap or call it a night and go to bed to get an adequate amount of sleep throughout the week.
