By: Malicse, Ma. Patricia Dolores D.
A generous serving of long exams, a ten-minute oral presentation, and a pile of term papers – these are the ingredients formulated by the academe to create the perfect form of torment for college students. The concoction is so mentally draining and emotionally exhausting that students find it synonymous to hell. Worse, they need to endure this for an entire week. But while the impending terror brought about by the hell week cannot be escaped, there are many ways to mitigate its unpleasant aftermath. Here are some easily manageable yet useful tips on how to keep your cool during hell week.
Before Hell Week. Most students use the week before exams to enjoy their few remaining days of freedom. They watch movies, play videogames or go out with friends. Instead of counting the days before your imminent death brought about by the pile of exams and reports, why not prepare for it?
· DO: Get organized. Take note of the exam dates, reporting schedules and other deadlines. Make a priority list to easily schedule review dates per subject, or even better, have study groups organized for a certain exam. Just make sure your study session does not end up becoming a drinking session.
· DON’T: Be pessimistic. A negative outlook will only hinder you from exerting your best effort. Pessimism will make you feel tired, unsatisfied and hopeless without even trying. Instead of being cynical, a good dose of encouragement and self-motivation will go a long way, especially during the dreaded hell week.
During Hell Week. Because this week demands the students’ best intellectual performance, here are some ways on keeping them on the top of their game during hell week.
· DO: Stay focused. Avoid things that will distract you from studying for your important exams. Log out your facebook account and resist the urge to watch the next episode of your favorite drama series. This way, your attention will be on the important details of your upcoming exam.
· DO: Know the appropriate study technique for your exam. Computational exams are best reviewed by solving sample problems. Conceptual exams require long hours of reading and tedious note-taking of important details. On the other hand, exams that require critical thinking require time for reflection and research.
· DON’T: Skip meals, as it will affect your body’s metabolism. Skipping meals discourages calorie-burning as the body goes to starvation mode. This also leads to low blood sugar levels and in effect, decreased brain function. You don’t want to forget all those formula for your Calculus exam, do you?
· DON’T: Drink caffeinated and energy drinks excessively. Too much caffeine can cause nervousness, insomnia, restlessness and irritability. It can also upset your stomach, make your heart beat faster and may cause muscle tremors. Imagine jittering while delivering your report in front of class. So, cut on that caffeine and drink water instead.
After Hell Week. At last, the dreadful week is over. This is the time to sit back, relax, and give yourself a pat on the back for the past week’s accomplishment.
· DO: Release your stress. Some hours of fun browsing the internet, exercising or watching movies will help keep the stress down. Commence that postponed drinking session of yours! Of course, everything must be done in moderation.
· DON’T: Oversleep. Oversleeping is also unhealthy. It disrupts your body clock and might even make you feel more tired. A healthy six to eight hours of sleep will redeem those sleepless hell week nights.
Next time you face the wrath of long exams, oral reports and tem papers, remember to follow these easy steps for a smooth-sailing Hell Week:
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