Mental Health and Finals: A 10 Step Guide

1. Plan plan plan. Make a schedule and try your best to stick to it, but don’t get discouraged or beat yourself up if you stray a bit. Consider making a high and low goal for each day to account for the unexpected. 2. Form a study group. Studying with friends can make studying fun, but can also help to keep you on track. Consider forming groups with people from your different courses, or friends you know you work well with. 3. Zone in. Don’t get overwhelmed, but rather, take it one step at a time. Whether that be one test, one subject or one section, try and do complete tasks in increments with small breaks to maintain your focus. 4. Eat. Meal prep the Sunday before a busy week so that you do not forget to eat, or fall into the trap of eating whatever is available. Consider preparing one meal for lunch and adding lots of healthy study snacks, such as fruits and vegetables. 5. Get your 8 hours in. Your brain functions best when it is rested. Try and stick to a nightly routine so you can maximize your sleep time and wake up feeling refreshed. 6. Hit the gym! The Western Recreation Centre offers lots of free classes including Zumba, Kickboxing, Step, Cycle, etc. Fitness schedules can be found at: http://webapp.getrecdapp.com/westernrec/category/7/ or posted in The Pulse’s biweekly newsletter.

7. Clear your head. Can’t make it to the gym? Sometimes just a 20-minute breath of fresh air by walking to class instead of taking the bus can be enough to regroup and leave yourself re-energized.

8. Make time for yourself. While midterms may seem like the most important thing, always remember to do one thing a day for yourself. Whether that is calling your friend, watching a show or taking a nap, go ahead— you deserve it!

9. Check out the Wellness Centre. From Meditation to Therapy Dogs, the Western Wellness Centre is sure to cover all of your Midterm stress needs. Check out upcoming events at: http://www.events.westernu.ca/events/wellness/

10. Believe in yourself! Midterms can be tough, but remember you are capable of anything you set your mind to. If you feel as though it is too much, don’t be afraid to reach out to your Academic Counsellor or to Western’s Mental Health Services. Resources can be found at: https://uwo.ca/health/mental_wellbeing/resources.html