DIY: Getting Through Finals

The time has come. Finals are barely weeks away and you've procrastinated. But hey, who's got time to study when there's Netflix to watch? The struggle is very real. So here I am covering the hackneyed topic of how to survive finals.

Never fear, I'm not here to judge, I'm here to help! Follow these easy steps and you'll be breezing through finals and into relaxation in no time.

Step 1: STOP STRESSING! Okay, maybe a little stress is okay and even necessary, but when you find yourself in fetal position in some dark corner hyperventilating, you've gone too far! Stressing leads to more stress which leads to more stress and then where are you? Stressed, depressed, and not doing well on your finals. Lots of people will claim that loads of stress is just another part of college life, but it doesn't have to be (even if you procrastinate!). Here's the key: take a step back and look at the big picture. Yes, finals and grades matter, but your sanity and happiness matter 100x more. Take time to watch an episode of your favorite Netflix original, hang out with a friend for a bit, do some reading, whatever, just take time to relax. Besides, when has cramming ever helped anyone?

Step 2: Make a good Pandora playlist. Why not? It's a college student's favorite thing too, FREE! Studies have shown that studying with classical music proves to reduce stress, increase efficiency, and help to involve both sides of the brain for more productive learning. Listening to classical music has also been rumored to have healing effects, but I'm no scientist.

Step 3: Eat, sleep, and be merry! Trust me, sleep is not negotiable. Last minute studying is a part of life, but pulling an all-nighter is just plain sinful, and your body won't forgive you for it. You'll just arrive at your final tired, grumpy, and very unprepared. Now onto another sacred part of life: food. I'm not saying you have indulge in a 4 course meal, but eating right the week of finals and having a solid breakfast is necessary. And no, ramen and Frosted Flakes don't count. In order for your brain to work at its highest capacity it needs plenty of good sleep and food (AKA energy). And don't forget to drink a plethora of water, the benefits of that liquid are endless.

Finally, you do actually have to study, sorry bud. Find out what study methods work best for you and work hard, you won't regret it.

I hope these tips helped! Let me know in the comments what I left out or if you have any study strategies that work wonderfully for you, I need all the help I can get with my finals!