Finals Frenzy? Have No Fear!

If you ask any college student across the country what their least favorite time of year is, chances are their answer will be simple: “finals week.” Finals week, the time of year when students hang up their party hats and trade in their bottle of booze for a bag full of textbooks. The only sure thing that gets them through is the comfort of knowing that summer lies right around the corner—but until then, how will they ever survive? If you’re asking yourself this question, I’m here to tell you, “Don’t fret!”

Having endured my fair share of finals weeks at Hofstra University over the past four years, I thought that now would be a good opportunity as a graduating senior to share a bit of knowledge and advice to those who are seeking tips on how to stay sane and, if your lucky, get some sleep during this final dreaded week, better known as “HELL.”

Here are the two major tips you should follow. Heed my warning; These are VITAL!

1.) Don't Procrastinate! 

We all know we’ve done it at one point or another: leaving that 20 page paper for the last night or cramming for that cumulative final with two hours to spare. For one reason or another these assignments were put on the back burner, not to be dealt with or even looked at until the last possible moment. Why do we allow ourselves to do this? For some people, they accept their procrastinated behaviors and fool themselves into believing that it is just inevitable for them to be faced with this. This isn’t true. If I’ve learned anything from college, it is simple: stay on top of your work. If a professor gives you a lot of time for a large project, set your own “deadlines” for yourself along the way. If you do this then I can guarantee that you’ll be getting a full night sleep every night come finals week.

2.) Eat Right!

I can’t even begin to explain how many people I have seen get extremely sick as a result of finals week. Stress, time constraints, lack of sleep, and many other factors play a huge role in why students’ bodies break down during this time of year. One other major factor for these impending sicknesses is the lack of proper nutrition and diet over the course of these few days. Even if you’re not hungry or think that you’re “too busy” to get something to eat, I implore you to grab a quick bite. In addition to fighting sickness, your mind also operates better when it gets the proper nutrients. Eating small healthy meals throughout the course of this week will help you to battle illness and think clearly! 

Surely there are many other great tips on how to successfully get through this week, but in my experience these are the two greatest and most important tips of advice that I can give in order to guarantee a calmer and healthier week for all.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

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However, one thing that has changed over the past ten years is my grip on reality. I would have never thought that my four years of college would have passed me by so quickly and now here I am with only three months left of college and absolutely no idea where I am going to end up.

Although this feeling of uncertainty is both terrifying and stressful, I have high hopes for my future due to one very influential person: my sister, Cara.

Cara is a 25-year-old alumnus of Wagner College. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and was also a record-setting member of the Wagner Girl’s Lacrosse Team. After graduation, she was able to score a job with The Bank of New York after working there as an intern during her college career. Once she was financially stable, she was then able to afford an apartment in lower Manhattan with two former college teammates.

What I admire most about my sister is her ability to work hard at what she wants. I will never forget one very important message that my sister had always said to me, “Don’t think; Just do.” Although to some people this may seem like reckless advice, it has actually given me great insight into many aspects of my life thus far. This message has taught me to accept and honor my responsibilities, stop over-thinking and analyzing every situation, and go after what I want without any hesitation or outside influences.

Today, my sister is employed at Nomura Group and is living in the East Village. Each time I visit her in the city she will show me around and take me to all her favorite Manhattan hot spots. It is always a fantastic time. Not only do I admire her independent lifestyle and infinite knowledge of my favorite city in the world, but I also gain motivation and confidence that one day I will be able to have all these wonderful things that she does. My sister is a perfect example that with the right attitude and strong ambition to succeed, the sky is the limit.

   

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