Managing Your Anxiety and Stress While Studying for Finals

Spring is here and instead of relishing in the sun, you’re having anxiety about last-minute extra credit to boost your grade. Finding time to study in your busy schedule which consists of classes, extracurriculars, and work is almost impossible. If you have guessed that it’s close to finals season, you guessed it right!

It’s normal to feel stressed out during the final weeks of your term. But those feelings can become so overwhelming that your studying and grades suffer. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to manage your stress in a healthier way so that your studies don’t suffer and you can get the most out of your finals season.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Methods

Now, I know you looked at the title and felt anxious thinking, “I don’t have time for therapy right now”. But don’t worry, CBT doesn’t mean you have to go through traditional talk therapy. This just means you can implement methods that CBT uses to reduce your stress and anxiety. One way you can do this is by challenging any negative thoughts you may be having about your grades.

When you’re studying for finals it can become easy to feel overwhelmed, pressured, and maybe like you don’t understand something. You may start to think back to times you’ve failed in the past and think that you will fail again. For example, you might think, “I got a D on my last test. So, I’m going to fail this class!” This then can lead to other thoughts like “I’m not only going to fail this class but I’m going to fail out of college”.

These thoughts can be overwhelming and paralyzing, so it’s important to challenge these thoughts. You can do this by looking at how you are doing in other classes. You might find that you’re doing wonderful in every class but this one. And that’s okay! Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. If you fail a class, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your degree or chosen career path. You can always retake the class or find other ways to make up for it.

Finding Study Groups and Scheduling Time for Yourself

During this stressful time, you may feel as if you are the only one struggling, but there are others feeling the same way. Finding study groups can be a great way to stay on top of your workload and make studying more enjoyable. Having a group of people who can help you with subjects you are struggling with but also hold you accountable can help reduce your stress. It can also help you feel more confident when it comes time to take your finals.

Also, go to office hours and meet with your professors! This may seem like a less-than-popular option but this time is so that you can ask them questions and gain clarification about the material. They are the expert on what you’re learning so utilize them and let them help you. Plus, they might even give you hints about the exams or help you out with extra credit if needed.

Take a Break!

You might be busy trying to cover all your bases with studying, completing extra credit, and working on normal assignments, but take a break! After working so hard and taking all this time to study, it’s important that your mind takes a break to do anything else. It helps to reset your brain and allow it to come back fresh and ready to do more work.

For your break, you can call a friend and go have lunch. You can play a video game or something else you find fun. Or, if you’re looking for more of an endorphin break, go work out or take a long walk. Doing something you enjoy can help reset your brain and give it the break it needs to get back into studying mode.

Self-Care

You might think that sacrificing self-care might help you get ahead in your classes, but that is not the case. Taking care of yourself is essential during this time as it helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and prevent burnout. This can include anything from having a regular sleep schedule to eating healthy meals, or even just taking some time out of every day for yourself.

Self-care is important all the time, not just during finals season, but during this time it can be crucial when you’re already feeling overwhelmed. This can also include seeing an anxiety therapist in Alpharetta, GA so you can ensure that you are taking care of your mental health during this stressful time.

Overall, it’s important to manage your stress. However, it’s especially important during times of heavy studying and exams. It can not only overwhelm you but lead you to be less productive. By managing your stress, you can ground yourself and stay focused on the task at hand. Take care of yourself during this stressful time and good luck with your finals!

Interested in Individual Counseling in Alpharetta or Milton, GA?

You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being while studying for finals. Learning how to manage your stress can help you retain more information, reduce your anxiety, and help you stay focused. Our team of therapists at Wellview Counseling understands that finals come with a lot of pressure, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your mental health in the process. We offer individual counseling services in Alpharetta, GA, and Milton, GA, so you can manage your stress and get the results you want. If you’re interested in starting therapy:

• Contact Wellview Counseling
• Meet with Our Therapists
• Begin managing your stress and achieve better results during finals season!

Other Therapy Services Offered at Wellview Counseling

Our therapists at Wellview Counseling understand that you or your loved ones may be facing more than just stress and anxiety during finals season. This is why we offer a variety of therapy services to help you manage any and all challenges you may be facing. We offer child counseling, teen counseling, family counseling, postpartum depression and anxiety counseling, trauma and PTSD treatment, therapy for those with a chronic illness, and more. Regardless of the challenge you face, our therapists are here to help. Our office is in Roswell, GA, but we also offer online therapy to anyone in Georgia. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment please feel welcome to reach out to us!

About the Author

Introducing Ashley Bobo, MSW, LCSW a caring and experienced therapist who is committed to helping individuals and families overcome life’s obstacles, including the stress and anxiety that often come with final exams. With more than 20 years of experience, Ashley specializes in helping clients manage their stress and anxiety, overcome depression, and improve their relationships. While Ashley does not offer EMDR therapy, she understands the importance of tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique needs. Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a loved one as you prepare for finals, Ashley can provide compassionate guidance to help you navigate this challenging time. To learn more about Ashley and her practice, please visit Wellview Counseling’s website.