Managing Finals Week
Finals week is often synonymous with stress. The weight of impending exams, assignments, and projects can lead to heightened anxiety levels among students. For our at-risk and homeless teens, their extremely adverse living environments and stressors outside of school can significantly magnify this stress and anxiety, with negative impacts on their academic performance, and mental and physical well being.
Some common sense, and effective strategies for minimizing stress and maximizing results during finals week include:
Take breaks and get active - Exercise, even in small amounts, is a natural form of antidepressant. It releases endorphins that help promote a positive mood, increases focus and helps reduce stress.
Make meals and what you eat a priority - Increasing evidence suggests that the gut and brain are connected and that eating balanced diet at each meal, including fruits, vegetables and proteins, while limiting sugars provides energy, concentration, and elevated mood.
Get rid of distracting devices - the dependence on obtaining constant information from phones can produce real difficulties when it comes to sitting down to study. Studies show that even the presence of a phone nearby is adequate to stop most people from studying efficiently.
Find a space that is conducive to studying - Your study environment is vital. Trying to study in a room full of distractions ends up being just that: distracting. If feasible, have a dedicated space with a desk, chair, light, and necessary supplies.
Prioritize your goals and take them one at a time - break down big projects or test preparation activities into bite-sized to-do items. Write them down in a list and check them off as you go.
Get some fresh air and sunlight - nature captures our attention and can calm our nerves. Go on a short walk outside take your time, move slowly, breathe deeply and observe your surroundings.
Get sleep - though easier said than done, studying and prep work for finals is much less effective if it’s not supplemented by enough rest. Numerous research studies have shown that proper sleep enhances memory and the mind's capacity to concentrate.
Get support - Sometimes, self-care isn’t enough to help manage stress, and that’s OK.
Robyne’s Nest proactively provides the resources and support our students need to address the adversities in their lives, take responsibility for their personal wellness, and to be prepared academically. Our wrap-around support of these teens includes, though is not limited to, basic daily necessities, comprehensive educational support, life skills classes, student events, mental health therapy, and safe housing. Additionally, we provide support to local high school student wellness centers that provide these vulnerable teens with a place on campus to take a break, study and have access to basic needs. Our mission is to ensure these disadvantaged teens are given the opportunity to break their cycles and change their lives.