How-To Survive Finals Week for College Students

I've worked on college campuses for almost a decade and have been a student many times over the years as I strove to achieve my Associates, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees. Fortunately for me, my college days are over from a student perspective any way. For those still in school though, the stress level is high all throughout the semester, but at it's worse at the end, particularly during final weeks when students are pulled in so many directions they think they are going to break in half. Knowing this, here are a few ways for college students to survive finals week and the weeks leading up to finals:

Get some rest during the week of finals and the weeks leading to it. Even though it's hard, college students must get rest for finals otherwise, they run the risk of bombing their finals and running what they worked so hard for all semester.

Get a massage. Massages help alleviate the stress the finals, and school work in general, bring on. Even if it is just a chair massage, get one to increase the blood flow to your brain, soothe muscles, and just relax you over all. If you can't afford a big salon, see if the campus somewhere on campus that does it or visit a local Massage school for discounted rates. Students will do better on their finals if they are relaxed.

Solicit a study Buddy. Study buddies can really help out during finals week because first, they can help you from stresses and talking negatively to yourself. Plus, they can help you study for your finals and review what was taught in class.

Pray. God can and will help us through anything whether it be a big issue or something as stressful as finals. Usually when God is in it, you'll be more successful. And be specific. Ask God for an A on that Geography final.

Keep things in perspective. Just remember that no one is perfect and it's very rare that anyone aces their final exams. Besides, there is really no reason to. Just do your best. I promise that no employer will ever what you got on your Chemistry final in your Junior year of college. And to be honest, there are much bigger problems in life so don't lose that perspective. Finals are just tests and will be over in no time. It won't be a crises if you don't do well. You'll still be alive and that's what is most important.

Good luck to all you college students that are finishing up the semester and heading into finals. Just remember, I did it, and I survived, and I can't remember what was on my finals years ago. How important could it have really been. Just do your best and move on. Good luck!