How to Keep Up with Your Mental Health this Finals Season

            Whether you like it or not, finals season is here. The end of the semester is near, but there is still a lot to be done. You’ve made it this far through all-nighters, fast food, and many classes, but this last push can be mentally draining. As hectic finals season can be, there are ways to protect your mental health and prevent anxiety or post-finals depression.

1. Do not stress too much about the upcoming stress. A lot of times, students become paranoid about the stress that comes with finals, but what they don’t know is that stress is not all bad. Eustress is what helps our brain perform best. It is what helps us during the final you know you must do well on. So, it’s okay to stress some because it shows that you care about your grades and to do well.
2. Do not dwell on what you should have done. You might have procrastinated or made some mistakes, but those behaviors are in the past and cannot be changed. Now, focus on what you can do right now for your finals, rather than criticizing yourself.
3. Do not neglect self-care. You are not a machine, and your brain needs time off from studying. Studies show that if we practice self-care, it promotes resilience, and in turn, helps your mental state. They show that taking breaks such as working out and eating full meals can maximize your mental health
4. Try not to isolate yourself from others. Seek community and friends to keep up a healthy state. A break from studying can also mean visiting mentors, therapists, or family. And, if you feel you are concerned about your health, ask for help from your interpersonal relationships. We all need people to cheer us on and motivate us, especially during finals season.
5. Your mental health is way more important than your grades. There is a difference between healthy achievement and unhealthy overachievement. The entire point of keeping up with your mental health is to feel better and therefore perform better. It is not normal to overload yourself with stress, so expect to take breaks every once in a while, in order to care for yourself.
6.  Remember to be grateful for your education. The opportunity to learn is very valuable and, if you are worrying about finals, remember that you are lucky to be taking finals. Shift from the mindset that you are your grades. Your self worth does not rely on numbers. It is fortunate that you are receiving education, and you must attend school gracefully.

Hopefully you remember these tips through finals season, and you will feel better, mentally. May you have a prosperous season and a healthy one too.