You’ve invested a lot of time and energy into learning this semester, and now all that hard work is coming together — finals are here! Exams can be demanding and stressful. Consider these strategies to set yourself up for academic success by taking care of your health and well-being.
- Unplug — Turn your devices and notifications off to reduce distractions while studying. When it’s time for a break, get some exercise before (or instead of) looking at social media. Exercise is an effective way to reduce stress and help clear (vs. clutter) your head for the next study session.
- Get some sleep — about eight hours each night. Consistent, quality sleep supports memory, information processing and problem solving. Study hard, then sleep on it!
- Avoid alcohol and other drugs, or at least minimize it — doing so will protect your sleep, cognitive performance and study time. Stimulant drugs (e.g., Adderall) that aren’t prescribed for you may seem like a solution for heavy cramming, but research shows that students who take prescription stimulants without a prescription see a drop in their GPA in the long run. In addition, the risk of addiction and overdose is real.
For more tips and resources on health and well-being, follow Norris Health Center on Instagram @nhc_hpw or go to Norris Health Center.
