Tip of the Month: Taking Care of Yourself During Finals

We all know how incredibly stressful and demanding finals can be, which is why it’s especially important to take care of yourself during this time. Doing so will allow you to build your capacity to handle stress, keep you healthy, and ultimately, allow you to perform your best.

Quick Tips to Take Care of Yourself

If taking care of yourself feels like another thing on your to-do list, consider incorporating these quick tips into your daily routine:

1. Take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout. This can include taking a quick walk outside, stretching, or simply closing your eyes for a few minutes. Doing so can do wonders for your mental and physical well-being. 
2. Fuel your body with nutritious meals and snacks. This will give you the energy and focus you need to get through your exams. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. 
   • Unsure as to what counts as nutritious? Looking to better understand and explore how nutrition impacts your academic performance? Meet with a registered dietitian/nutritionist who can help you with meal planning, health management, and more! Learn more about Nutrition Counseling at Stanford.
3. Get active! Physical activity is another important aspect of taking care of yourself during midterms. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your overall health. This doesn't have to be anything intense– a quick workout or yoga session can help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle your exams.
   • Check out Stanford Recreation and Wellness for a list of ways to get active today.
   • Get active through Stanford Living Education courses. Explore courses in fitness, weight training, aquatics, racquet sports, golf, horsemanship, and more!
   • The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life offers weekly opportunities (Monday - Thursday) to engage with others in the community for meditation and yoga.

In addition to taking care of yourself, there are many resources available at Stanford to support you during finals. Discover resources below based on your test taking needs and concerns. ​​​​​​​

Written by: Edward Tran, Class of 2023

Resources

Stanford Resources

Resources to prepare for exams:

• Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) - Offers academic skills coaching, tutoring, workshops, and resources to help you grow and thrive academically.
• Looking for the best study spot? Check out Places to Study on campus. You can filter by noise level, proximity to coffee shops, hours of operation, and more!
• Want more tips to better prepare for your exams? Check out Test/Exam Tips and Tools from the Stanford Learning Programs. Discover strategies on test prep, tackling different types of tests, and more!

Resources for academic accommodations:

• Office of Accessible Education. When things don't go as planned and you may need to ask for an extension or accommodations during midterms (e.g. more time to take an exam), the Office of Accessible Education can support you.
• Reach out to your professor or consider attending their office hours if you feel you need additional support around midterms. Learn how to talk to your professor about your mental health.

Resources to manage stress and anxiety: 

• Counseling and Psychological Services. The university provides FREE counseling services through CAPS, which can help you manage stress and anxiety during challenging times. 
• The Bridge Peer Counseling Center. Seek support from your peers through the Bridge Peer Counseling Center. These trained students can offer a listening ear and/or advice on how to prepare for exams, manage stress and test anxiety, and more!
• Discover tips to ease test anxiety. The Flourish: November 2022