5 Ways to Boost Your Self Care While Preparing for Final Exams

AcademicAlly, LLC: May 8, 2024

AcademicAlly, LLC has dubbed the month of May, “Mayke It Happen”. This is the second of four editions that provides insider tips to end-of-the-year success.

By now, you are in the thick of final exams. College students are starting to wind down, and high schoolers are gearing up to begin their academic grand finale. There are so many things to remember:

The number of hours spent on understanding and retaining information is impressive. The amount of energy required to do so successfully is undeniably overwhelming. At some point, students may start to sweat, losing their confidence and perspective. How do we prevent an academic implosion from happening? One of the most important, but frequently overlooked, skills that contributes to effective study habits is self-care. Self-care is so critical to student success and wellbeing, even beyond the context of final exams. When discussing this topic with my clients, I use the metaphor of home construction. When a contractor is building a house, he or she must build on top of a strong foundation. Sturdy material like concrete is frequently used because it can withstand the elements and the settling and shifting of the ground beneath the house. If a house is built on sand or dirt, that structure will inevitably crumble.

The same can be said for a student. If a strong foundation is not established before embarking on an academic journey, that student is not likely to meet with success. What are the components of a strong footing? There are six core pieces of this base, and I refer to them as the Six Pillars:

Drink plenty of water-at least 64 ounces per day. Dehydration can contribute to everything from poor focus, disorganization, disjointed thinking, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues. It is amazing that such a simple resource can make a powerful difference in one’s academic performance.

Eat healthy meals and snacks, focusing on protein, complex carbohydrates. These types of foods take longer to metabolize and therefore provide a long-lasting source of energy, focus, and calm. Include fruits, and vegetables. A hungry brain becomes easily fatigued and unable to focus, stay organized, and process and retain information. Keep small snacks with you throughout the course of the day.

As we mentioned in so many other blog posts, a tired brain brings no value to anyone, let alone a hardworking student who is in the process of preparing for final exams. Get enough sleep, creating good sleep hygiene and a regular sleep schedule.

Exercise is the greatest outlet not only for physical wellbeing, but emotional health. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain which, in turn, helps that organ to complete tasks like focusing, reading, processing, retaining, and understanding information critical to the student’s academic success. This activity also helps students to work off their stress, which will allow space in the brain to do what it needs to do. Exercise can come in many forms including: walking, swimming, hiking, meditating, skating, running, biking, lifting, hula-hooping, shooting baskets, bowling, and playing ultimate frisbee. Choose your outlet and try to workout at least a few times per week for thirty minutes.

Emotions run high this time of year. Many students find themselves in situations where their grades are at a critical juncture. A strong performance on their final exams will be the difference between earning a lower grade versus a higher one. None of that matters if they get bogged down with their emotions. Identify what you feel and why you feel that way. Then talk about your feelings-find someone to help you process your emotions. Practice grounding or mindfulness to manage your stress

All work and no play is never a good strategy. There is no denying you have a lot to accomplish in the next few weeks, but you must allow for some down time. Giving yourself a fun release helps to recharge your battery. This reset positions you for success. Hang out with friends. Go out for ice cream or coffee. Run around the block. Draw a picture. Sing a song. Break out in a pop-up dance session with friends. Make time for laughter and fun. These small acts of kindness lend themselves to personal success. Go ahead, give it a try. You will thank yourself for it.

Self-care is not limited to preparation for final exams. It is a best-practice life skill that’s vital to every facet of life. If we are not emotionally and physically sound human beings, our ability to function becomes compromised across the entire span of the life spectrum. Establish your six pillars and honor them daily, in doing so, you will set yourself up for success in life.