Finals are Coming Up. A Psychology Professor Offers Ways to Deal With Stress

Person holding her head with stress

This is a summary of a story on Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impacts of stress on mental and physical health. It’s also a time to encourage reflection about healthy ways to cope, like mindfulness, exercise, rest, and leaning on social supports.

With final exams are also around the corner, your stress levels may be rising. You’re not alone. Bridgette Hard, professor of the practice of psychology & neuroscience, researchers how people learn and perform under stress, and uses her insights inform teaching practices and improve student experiences.

Hard offers some practical, evidence‑based ways to manage stress during finals week:

1. Reframe your stress.

Start by identifying the deeper purpose behind your stress by completing this sentence: 

“I’m stressed about _____ because I care about _____.” 

Connecting stress to your values helps you see your work as an opportunity or a challenge, rather than a threat, and makes it more likely that you will take productive action.

2. Make a realistic plan.

Your plan should include time to tackle your work and to engage in some self-care. Start early, work in smaller chunks and schedule breaks. Students feel less burned out when they pace themselves and build-in time to recharge.

3. Choose self‑care that makes you feel better.

Prioritize sleep, movement, enjoyable distractions and time with people you care about. Finals don’t have to be joyless. Small moments of fun can make you more focused and efficient.

Personally, I make sure I’m getting enough sleep and I take my mind off work by watching a great movie or exercising.

For more of Hard’s tips, go to Trinity College of Arts and Sciences.