Free Stress Management Newsletter!
Discuss in my Forum

Low-Stress Study Tips for Finals Season

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com

Updated: January 07, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Filed In:

Student Stress

2 of 5

Prev Next

Study Tip #2 - Safeguard Your Sleep

Sleep is important- -be sure you get enough! ©iStockphoto.com

Most students have more activities available than time to do them all, and finals season usually puts an already-busy schedule into hyper-drive. Such busy schedules tend to affect sleep (both quality and quantity). In addition to this, the measures many students take to combat the sleepiness can actually make things worse! Sleep is important for many reasons, and poor sleep can put students at a serious disadvantage. Therefore, it’s important to avoid sleep-damaging activities, budget time wisely, and manage stress to maintain quality sleep. The following are important strategies to remember:

Avoid Caffeine Binges
One cup of coffee in the morning probably won’t hurt, but powering down caffeine-laden energy drinks can actually make you more tired in the long run because they can affect the quality of sleep you get! (See this article for more on caffeine.)
Budget Time Wisely
Be sure you allow yourself enough time to sleep -— schedule in your 8 hours as you would any other important class, appointment, or shift at work.
Don’t Pull All-Nighters
Contrary to what some students may think, staying up all night to study can actually backfire and result in poorer grades! (See this article for more on what to avoid during finals season.)