Surviving Finals

For Temple University students this is the week where we pull out our hair, bite our finger nails and overdose on caffeine. THIS IS FINALS WEEKS. For some classes, finals require a final paper, presentation, test, or a combination of all three.   To survive the hellish week here are some tips to get you through:

Get some sleep

It’s no secret that a good night’s rest helps your concentration but sleep is not just a form of rest. Sleep plays a critical physiological function and is indispensable for intellectual development.  In 2005 a study conducted by Dr. Robert Stickgold revealed that with less sleep, we reduce the recall of facts we learned before or after a shortened night.

Caffeine

Caffeine chemical composition works in three related ways. It enhances alertness by inhibiting the action of adenosine, which gives you a physical boost by increasing the amount of adrenaline in your system and contributes to a euphoric state which activities the brain’s pleasures centers. In combination, these affect a state where we feel energy which catalyzes our creativity and awareness. Conveniently there are three caffeine dispensary on campus: Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks and Saxby’ s.

Brain foods and hydration

Staying full and focused is extremely important before taking an exam. Your brain requires a steady supply of glucose which fuels you body’s cells. Dr. Joy  Bauer, a New York-based dietician and “Woman’s Day” columnist, suggests the best choices for brain food includes salmon, fortified-eggs, ground flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts. Fruits, especially bananas, are also attributed to reducing stress. Also during your exam, be sure to drink lots of water, it keeps you clam and helps with oxygen flow to your brain.