By JRN 200 students
Kaitlyn McCluskey is trying to stay grounded – literally – during finals this semester.
With meditation being a huge part of her routine to relax and decompress, McCluskey, a senior psychology major, said: “I’ll lay on my bed on my back, or the floor, or on a yoga mat and find a Spotify video that talks about meditation, and just close my eyes.”
Southern Connecticut State University is headed into finals week on May 12 and students are using a variety of different de-stressing techniques to get them through the week. Students in JRN 200 – Basics of Journalism surveyed more than a dozen students on how they are preparing.
For junior psychology major Heather Gaydowen, starting work last minute can cause anxiety. She said she “sometimes falls into the bad habit” of starting her work too late, but when she does start her work on time, it saves her “a lot of energy.”
There are plenty of methods to destress during finals week, but students will figure out what works best for them during this crucial period.
For other students, many say their environment and study partners help them focus.
Some students work better outside their dorms. Senior accounting major Kayleigh Wells prefers study rooms.
“That last week study rooms are probably gonna be my best friend, cause if I go to my room, I’m not leaving my bed,” said Wells.
Some students focus best on their own.
“Finding the best spot to work so I can focus better and review all my notes by myself so I can really study for finals week,” Emily Santos, a sophomore elementary education major, said.
Julia Hargraves said she feels more prepared when she gets help from her professors.
“With finals, it’s really good for me to go to my office hours with my teachers, like if I see them before an exam, I’ll do much better, so I usually tend to do that,” says Hargraves.
Gabby Chrostowski, a freshman nursing major, says she prefers having a “quiet space without distractions” to go over her notes and flashcards during office hours.
Students have been preparing for finals by studying hard, but their success also comes from knowing when to take a break.
Vada Vincent, a sophomore biology major, like many other students is pushing to succeed this finals season. She said it can be overwhelming to feel so swamped.
“I’ve been taking long breaks because it can be very draining, instead of doing equations for hours on end,” Vincent said.