Staying Healthy During "Dead Week"

So, I'm currently in my last week of class before final exams start...that dreaded week that comes once a semester where one exam can literally make or break the grade that you've worked so hard for over the past few months...that time of year where you might as well be subletting the library...and honestly the worst part of college, finals week AKA dead week.

During dead week I normally camp out in the library with every sheet of notes and textbooks that I've ever used for every class. My glasses are on and my hair is greasy, pimples are popping up everywhere because of all the stress and I average a few hours of sleep per night. With all this cramming, I don't ever eat healthy, in fact this time of year is when my diet is at it's worst.

This year, things are changing. I WILL be healthy during dead week, even if I'm camping in the library, I will resist sugary snacks and beverages loaded with caffeine, and most importantly I will continue to workout instead of sitting in one chair all day.

If  you haven't been eating healthy or working out throughout the year, now is the time to start! Going in to take an exam that can easily last 2+ hours and not eating the right food could actually hurt your final grade!! SO get those extra points and skip out on the sugary snacks. Instead, pack things like carrots and almonds to snack on while you study and make sure to eat a protein packed meal before your exam; it will help increase brain activity! If you haven't been meal prepping this year, finals week is the best time for meal prep, it saves you money and time as well as keeps you on the nutritious diet your body so desperately needs!

Stay active! Sitting in a nice comfy library chair all day can slow down blood flow to your brain, so that means you'll literally absorb less if you sit down and study all day. Take a break and go on a quick run, or do a 15 minute workout (not in the library of course) this will increase blood flow to your brain making it easier to focus AND learn (which is code for your test grades will be better) if you stay active!

Stay hydrated! You should always drink lots of water, simply because it's really great for your body. But at this time of year it's even more important to keep your body functioning at it's best! On that note, stay hydrated on water NOT coffee, I know it will be nearly impossible to avoid coffee during finals, but it's for the best. The thing is, coffee is loaded with caffeine, and all caffeine does is increase stress hormones, so if you thought you were stressed before you'll really be stressed with coffee in your system!

My last tip is my personal hobby/lifeskill; SLEEP.  I know very well that this is a hard thing to come by during dead week, I mean it is called dead week for a reason. But eight hours of sleep before an exam is the most important thing you can do to help yourself pass. You could stay up for 23 hours before an exam cramming, but chances are when you sit down to take the exam you won't remember anything you just crammed into your brain! So get some rest, wakeup and review before your exam. BUT 30 minutes before your exam STOP studying and relax, let your brain rest because it's about to help you ace your macroeconomics exam!!

I hope everybody reading this does well on your finals, and I encourage you to come back and leave comments so other readers can see what works best for you and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle!