Stressed during finals? 3 ways a BLHS student can find peace of mind.

Students aren’t sweating from the heat of May– it’s finals. Fast approaching, BLHS has a plethora of things to worry about; from SBA to AP tests, one can be caught off-guard if ill-prepared.

However, you’re not alone. As we gear up for the upcoming hurdles ahead, here is some advice from high school alums and university students!

1. Reframe your thoughts

Internal criticism creates unwanted pressure to finish tasks or achieve a specific performance. This can cause procrastination and heighten stress levels for students.

Transforming these thoughts into more neutral statements can support your motivation and foster self-compassion for the tasks ahead.

Here are some examples provided by UC Boulder:

Original thought: “Ugh, I should really be studying right now.”

Revised thought: “Studying feels hard right now. I’m going to focus for one hour and then take a fifteen minute break.”

Original thought: “I’m going to fail this exam.”

Revised thought: “I’m noticing that I am anxious about this exam. I’m going to be okay no matter what happens.”
Being kind to yourself will always be rewarding, although for some it won’t cause spurts of motivation, but can help in the process of self-care and acknowledging your needs.

2. Map out your month or week

With many things happening at once, it is easy to forget a task until it presents itself in the future, so keeping a running list of things you need to do each day reduces your chances of missing an important deadline or opportunity.

 

Effective methods of planning:

To-do lists

To-do lists are an easy way to document your upcoming commitments. Once you write down what you need to do on a piece of paper or your notes app, the tasks can seem more manageable and less intimidating, as it can give clarity to your brain that there is less to do than expected.

Gantt Charts

This is a favorite method for many, popularized in BLHS by Mrs. Ross in her leadership class.

Gantt charts allow you to scope out the week or month and allow you to visualize how much time you have for a task before its deadline. This can also be helpful for students who want to map out their studying times in conjunction with other subjects. Gantt charts show you when activities start or end, how long each activity is scheduled to last, and which activities overlap. It is an effective way to track progress and make sure you are on track to success.

3. Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms

Studies show that unhealthy ways of coping, like substance abuse, rise with stress levels. In these cases, seeking support will be much more effective than creating charts. BLHS is growing its levels of resources for students struggling with substance dependency during school. As the end of school approaches, PMN wants to ensure that students know the support around them. If you or a friend is seeking support, find our Prevention Intervention Specialist Alex Medina in the 200 office or visit the BE MORE PROJECT for more information about Quit Kits or scheduling an appointment, and other resources, all free of charge.