What does self-care look like to you?

Students hanging out in the library at 1am like it’s noon on a Monday?

People wearing pajamas to class with a dead look in their eyes?

Eating comfort food all day every day – like chocolate-chip cookies for breakfast…anyone else…?

Yeah, well … it’s finals season.

But finals season doesn’t mean you need to suffer! Remember, mental health is more important than anything. I know many people roll their eyes at that statement, but it’s true.

Yes, the idea of self-care is easier said than done, but I implore you to set aside a mere 5 minutes from your day to take a deep breath (please!), compliment yourself, and read advice from those going through the same exact thing as you… because self-care isn’t selfish!

How do you take care of yourself during finals season?

Thoughts from students & professors

Student perspective:

• “I have learned to force myself into bed so I get at least 6 hours of sleep, which I haven’t done in previous years. I also wash my face, put on comfy clothes, light a candle, and study for hours – it always helps me to be comfortable and clean.”              – Meredith, Junior at UMass Amherst

 

• “Watch my lava lamp, shower, cook, and get enough sleep”                                                – Madison, Senior at Cal Poly Tech University (lava lamp suggestion is a personal favorite)

 

• “I hang out with my friends and take time off – I have a final on Friday but just spent the last 12 hours watching videos and boolin”.                                                                                – Anon, University of Michigan 

 

• “Yoga! I appreciate it because it is mindful, reflective, and sort of like exercise. As a result, afterwards I feel ready to focus and do homework. Also it can take as much time as you want it to”.                                                                                                                         – Sarah, Junior Lesley University

 

• “Drinking more water than you normally do helps during this time because I drink more caffeine than I normally would during this time”                                                                       – Anon, UMass Amherst Student #relateable

 

• “Usually during finals I try to eat healthy to make me feel better, but I always have candy on hand. Also love taking breaks every hour or so to check my phone, shower, etc.”                                                                                                                                                 – GG, Clemson University

 

• “I’ve been trying to balance social and homework things so that I don’t go insane by just doing schoolwork. Oh! A specific thing is my friends and I have been trying to find the best hot chocolate in the area which has been really fun and relaxing… I would recommend L.A. Burdick (in Harvard Square) or Diesel (in Davis Square). Doing this sort of thing I end up planning things with my friends, so I have something to look forward to but also have a deadline (to get things done before seeing friends). Also, I’m a huge procrastinator, so it is really helpful with that”.                                                                         – Lizzie, Lesley University 

 

Professor Perspective:

• “As with many things, my answer here is very boring! I think it’s important to do basic ‘self-care’ all year round, so that when you get to an overload time like finals you’re physically and emotionally ready for it. So, eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, don’t drink too much caffeine or alcohol (but a little caffeine or alcohol is excellent!). I put ‘self-care’ in quotation marks because isn’t that just a trendy term for what our parents tried to teach us when we were in elementary school? Except they didn’t call it that…”
  – Dr. Mary Dockray-Miller, Professor at Lesley University 

 

• One educator in Minnesota recommends educators have a “Be Kind Portfolio” to look through at difficult moments – referencing it is helpful to boost confidence and works to remind teachers why they’re in education in the first place (such an awesome idea).

 

• “I recommend professors continue to allocate time to doing whatever they enjoy doing outside of academe. For me, this includes working out, spending time each day playing with my 3-year-old son, and cooking. While it is a hectic time of the academic year for students and professors, it is important to section off time each day for mental breaks.” – Dr. Frank Daniello, Professor at Lesley University

 

• “As for me, I get very, very stressed out as many of us do. My approach to reduce it is so conventional and nothing new… I usually get so worked up in my head just thinking about what needs to be done. So, I prioritize the items and make a visual listing. As I cross out each item on a piece of paper I can visually see, I feel accomplished and feel better… See, nothing special, right?”                                                                                         – Kazuyo Kubo, Professor at Lesley University

 

So remember:

1. You’re not alone!
2. You have resources (check to see if your school offers free counseling)! 
3. It’s acceptable to eat chocolate-chip cookies for breakfast… maybe.