CHLOE KOWALYK
Asst. News Editor
Are you feeling overwhelmed with final projects and exams?
Is the very thought of having to take exams next week in the midst of the pandemic frightening you to your core?
Well, worry no longer; here is some advice to help you end your semester strong.
The stress that comes with taking final exams is inevitable. However, there are many ways to manage that stress and turn it into positive motivation.
According to SUNY Fredonia Counselor in Residence Miranda Nellis, when stressed, many students forget to do simple tasks that have a major impact on their mental health.
Nellis’ advice for students is to “drink more water, sleep eight hours a night, limit social media time, go outside and get up and moving when you can.”
Nellis is absolutely right.
Staying hydrated has actually been proven to increase focus and can allow you to think more clearly.
Students should keep a bottle of water next to them while studying, and try to take a few sips every once in a while.
While late-night cramming may seem like a great idea in the moment, last-minute studying does not help with retaining material.
Instead, students should focus on getting a good night’s sleep by spreading their workload out across multiple days, rather than cramming the night before, if possible.
If you do find yourself needing to cram in some last minute studying, be sure to take frequent breaks.
I would honestly recommend taking a little dance break and doing the “Cha Cha Slide” every once in a while.
It might sound crazy, but as Nellis says, moving around every once in a while really helps.
If you end up exhausting the “Cha Cha Slide,” don’t forget about the “Cupid Shuffle,” “Cotton-Eyed Joe” and other upbeat dance songs.
Another tip I recommend is going outside for a walk, much like Nellis recommends.
If it’s not raining, as per usual Fredonia weather, take a nice walk around campus, count how many squirrels you can find and maybe even pick up a drink at Starbucks in a last ditch effort to spend that massive sum of points left in your meal plan.
If you come back from your walk and find you really can’t focus, nothing works better for me than listening to “Coconut Mall” from the MarioKart games on repeat.
Or, maybe you’re looking for a more relaxed study session.
If that’s the case, look up “LoFi beats” on YouTube. That should provide you with some nice, relaxing music to keep you focused.
Fredonia also offers some events to help students de-stress.
The FREDwell lounge, located in S221 of the Williams Center, will have various stress-relieving activities including games, crafts, coloring and snacks until May 14.
The Williams Center and Reed Library will also be open for study spaces on campus, where students can rent out study rooms by visiting this website.
Nellis also encourages students to utilize the Counseling Center on campus to help with managing stress and anxiety.
Overall, remember to relax and take things as they come.
We’re almost finished with this crazy semester, so stay strong.
Good luck with exams!