Finals and Stress

By: Stephanie Silberstang

Cornell University, Class of 2013

(Editor's note: I know the holidays are long past us, but finals never are. Just remember to take time for yourself!)

In order to deal with finals and holiday stress, I have realized that I must focus on the little things. This idea took many years to come to me, I realized it halfway through my 4-year undergraduate education. I have never been one to go home for the four week break and relax, although I always want that. Instead, I somehow manage to overbook myself with too many plans that overlap and must be executed perfectly in order to work. For example, this winter break I went skiing, visited my friend for Christmas, went to New York City for a week and took a two week trip to Honduras to learn and improve my wildlife handling skills. These activities all took place within days of each other, and although they were all relaxing as separate activities, I was continuously  thinking of the next step and planning ahead. Not to mention this whirlwind of a winter break directly followed the stress that comes with the end of every semester: finals. They require hour after hour of studying, long nights in the library, and neglect of other areas in my life that would keep me happier and healthier.

The way to handle all of these finals and holiday stress is to focus on the activities that relax and focus me. An activity I became involved in during undergraduate school is yoga, a relaxing form of exercise that focuses on stretching and breathing. Taking a short hour three times a week to focus only on clearing my head, whether it be in a class or at home, helps me improve my flexibility, balance and concentration. and relaxing is a great way to take a break from studying or driving hours a day to another friend or family member’s house.

Another way to handle my finals and the holiday stress is to spend time with friends and family that help motivate and encourage me. Some of my favorite friends to hang out with are my pets. I have a cockatiel named Caesar and a pitbull named Tembo. These two guys are the true meaning of “the little things in life.” Taking my dog for a nice walk on a trail or spending time with my bird helps me to relax and gain some much needed perspective. Spending time with my animals helps me remember that I am studying in order to become a veterinarian and to be an important component of the human-animal bond that is important to so many people, including myself. Thinking of helping other people’s beloved pets while spending time with my own makes going back to studying that much easier.

When considering and facing finals and holiday stress, I have to remember that it is the little things that will keep me grounded, focused and motivated to keep studying and take the full advantage of my vacation time.