Study Breaks

Happy Finals Season. May the odds be ever in your favor. 

Every year they come around, and every semester I end up with a mini panic attack session. Well, this year is no different. I actually just decided that I am declaring a double major in history on Wednesday (hence my absence on here) so I had a bit of added stress with class scheduling and such, but more on that at a later date. Finals are going to come whether we are ready or not, and they are going to stress us out too. It is unavoidable, but manageable. How do you manage it? Study breaks and stress management. I am all about study breaks. I don't know how much Pomodoro is going to work for me during these exams, but regardless, there will be some much needed breaks. One example is that today I am driving up to Culpeper to meet my Momma for lunch. It is an hour for each of us and we get to catch up, shop around, and it will prepare me for a long day and night in the library...ohh what a great Saturday night. Anyways, here are are a few suggestions for longer study breaks to get up from that desk you've been sitting at for hours. Keep in mind that it is still important to take a couple of small breaks, but there are times where you really just need a change of scenery on a lunch break:

Sleep

Cat naps were made for days like these, plus it gives your eyes a much needed break from straining while you study.

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Manicure

Whether it is at home or going to get one done at a salon, this is a guaranteed break because once you commit to painting them, you are basically useless until they dry. Plus, there is just something about having nicely painted nails that makes me feel more put together.

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Crafting/Baking

I find this relaxing, as do some of my friends, but if this isn't something you regularly do, finals is not the time to start. I love whipping up a batch of christmas cookies or another pinterest recipe on a study break or while reading a book because it's a great break...plus your friends will appreciate the free food!

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Exercise

"Exercise give you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands. They just don't." Thank you Elle Woods. Seriously, exercise is a great stress reliever!

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Cleaning

I love cleaning to relieve stress. Plus it is so nice to come home to a clean apartment after a long day in the library.

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Youtube Music Videos

Be careful that this doesn't get out of hand because it is a slippery slope of time lost, but break out the One Direction videos and get your groove on girl. (note: probably best to only break out the big moves in the privacy of your home, not the library)

Read a Blog

I love reading blog posts on study breaks...it's the perfect little break from the books. Oh, and if you want to read mine during finals, my study breaks will frequently consist of writing posts so there will be new content.

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Movie Night

Pop some popcorn and sit around with your sisters and watch a holiday movie. We Tivo'd and watched the Carrie Underwood version of Sound of Music the other night and it was exactly what I needed after cranking out a paper that day.

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What else do you do for study breaks?

xoxo,

SSP

P.S. Thanks to Amber, Jane, Logan, and Meghan for helping me with this list.