Thursday, December 6, 2012

Under Further Review: Dealing with finals exam stress



Final papers.

Group projects.

Final exams.

It’s that extra stressful time of the term at Drexel University where stress is the name of the game. Students are gearing up for their exams with a week of all-nighters spent still in wearing their professional attire from their presentation or co-op interview the day before. Days are spent weary-eyed and stir-crazy, but nobody knows whether it’s from the over-caffeination, the constant struggle to find a spot in the library, or the 24-hour quiet hours.

That’s the life of a Drexel student in week 10 – or week 11 in fall term but who’s awake enough to count right now anyway - with the calendar waiting to be flipped to finals week.  Although it may seem like the world is caving in around you and the ol’ to-do list is growing longer than it’s humanly possible to shorten, it’s important to remember that it’s not.  Working hard and running yourself into the ground are two different things.  Work hard and get your things done, but don’t do damage to yourself. Remember there’s still another term of class waiting right around the corner.

Remember yourself in these two weeks.  Take a few minutes for yourself.  Just think if you’re going to be pulling that inevitable all-nighter, you may as well use some of that caffeine-induced stupor to relax.  And don’t tell me that you don’t have time.  I don’t believe it.  You know why?  Because your phone is still on and both Facebook and Twitter are both open on your computer.  Shut the world out for moment and do some real relaxing.

So take some time and read a magazine, browse some of your favorite blogs and websites, watch your favorite show. If you’re well-rested and your mind isn’t mush, you have a much better chance of producing solid work.

When you sit down to do work, don’t just sit in front of your computer and complain about how much work you have to do.  Turn off the distractions and actually start on your work.  After all, actually doing your work is the only way to get it done.

2 comments:

  1. good job kevin. i guarantee this blog post was written in the middle of writing a paper #commitment

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    Replies
    1. lol yes! and with Facebook and Twitter open as well.

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