Opinion

As We See It Opinion

Don’t let finals stress paralyze you

During this time of year, the only thing I have on my mind is finals week. I think I can safely say that life can get pretty tough for students around the end of the semester.

Simply put, students are stressed as hell and anxiety can approach a new high.

I have no shame in admitting that I have to dig a little deeper to finish the semester out strong and unfortunately my mental health can take the back burner.

Finals week can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful.

After sixteen weeks of classes, I lose all motivation to take tests, write papers, complete projects and give presentations. My stress levels also reach a new high as I juggle work, extracurriculars and meetings.

When thinking of finals week, I associate the time period with heightened frustration because so many students push themselves past their limits to attain the best grades possible.

I know I am guilty of cramming for exams at the last minute and typing until my fingers start cramping.

Stress can be a good thing in certain situations as it helps me to perform at the highest level possible but in excess it starts to inhibit my ability to succeed. As homework and studying starts to pile up, I realize how much unnecessary stress I build up in the last couple weeks of the semester.

While easier said than done, I try to maintain some perspective in that a bad grade does not equal the end of the world.

When faced with the challenges of finals week, I can go through a range of emotions. By observing my emotions, and not judging them, I create a safe space which tells me that I will be OK, no matter what emotions I am experiencing.

Why does finals week have to be so stressful?

Who decided it would be a good idea to have a week of important assignments, tests, projects and presentations all due around the same time?

I am not a big proponent of finals week and think that finals are not an accurate way to properly assess a student’s knowledge. I think that finals week can also place unneeded stress on teachers to make sure that their students perform at a high level.

Teachers also have to worry about creating finals and the grading of finals under the time constraints of grade finalizing. I do not feel that the finals week system benefits anyone. While there is no way to completely eliminate finals week and my stress, I do have a few ways I create calm in a sea of chaos. First, I like to make sure that Olivia Bryant my day is being used effectively through time management techniques. Second, I reach out to my support networks of family and friends when my stress levels climb. Third, I make time for self-care and relaxation. Finally, I stick to my established sleep schedule because I know I need a full eight hours to function effectively. Through establishing boundaries and creating calmness, I can reclaim some normalcy during a week of high stress. To sum it up, finals week can be taxing and hard to handle. We are all doing our best and that is what matters. I hope that everyone has a successful finals week.

As You Said It!

We asked: What’s your least favorite thing about living in Nebraska during winter?

Ahlonte Hair 22, sophomore, Live Oak, Florida Jasmin Pineda-Dominguez 19, sophomore, Ansley Drew Kurtenbach 20, junior, Rapid City, South Dakota Nicolle Baquet 21, senior, Aurora, Colorado

“Too much snow and wind.” “How bipolar the weather is, it’s 50 and sunny one day and 17 and snowy the next day.” “Too windy and cold.” “A lot of snow and cold.” Serina Graham 18, freshman, Calhan, Colorado

“The wind.”

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