After a semester of hard work, finals are here. Check out these tips to help you with last-minute preparations so you can finish out the semester strong.
1. Evaluate your expectations
We all want to do well on our finals. However, it’s important to remind yourself that you’re also doing the best you can with the resources, time and energy you have. For instance, it may not be realistic to expect to remember everything you study, get an A on every exam or nail every group project. Take some time to reflect on your expectations by asking yourself:
Talking with a friend or Peer Wellness Coach may give you perspective and help you let go of things that aren’t worth your time, energy or grief. If you’d prefer to talk with a professional counselor, stop by a free, drop-in Let’s Talk session around campus.
2. Set boundaries with yourself and others
Finals can create or magnify stress in our lives, impacting our relationships with ourselves, our friends, our partners and other loved ones. Whether studying for an exam or working on a group project, it’s important to set healthy boundaries.
If you need support navigating conflict or maintaining your boundaries, Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution has free support resources and workshops available for students.
3. Take care of yourself
When times get stressful, self-care often moves down on our priority list. However, it’s important to continue caring for yourself, even if you feel like there isn’t enough time in the day. Plan ahead and consider ways to modify your current self-care routine to fit into a demanding schedule. Here are some ideas that can help you get started:
4. Remember that this is temporary
Finals can hold a lot of weight, especially if you’re approaching graduation or trying to reach other milestones in your academic career. However, it’s important to remember that finals are temporary. The outcome of the coming weeks will not define your life or what you do in the future. There are plenty of ways to reach your goals without sacrificing your well-being.
5. Reach out for help
Finals can take a toll on our mental and physical health. If you’re looking for additional support to help you finish out the semester, check out colorado.edu/finals or one of these resources: