It is final exam week at Nashville State. Students are trying to take exams and finish up papers and projects. Faculty are furiously grading. And here in the library, we’re trying to help students finish up those papers, check in all the books that have been used during the semester, and contact those folks who haven’t turned things in on time. It can be a stressful week for everyone involved.

So this finals week, let’s all take a little time out to have patience with each other. When you’re stressed, it’s easy to forget about other people, instead just focusing in on your pain or discomfort.

 But instead of snapping at people or just being in a bad mood so that no one enjoys being in your company, take a few seconds to breathe deeply and remind yourself that most people are doing the best they can. Also, be patient with yourself.

Some ways to get through finals week:

• No matter how far behind you are, it can help to take a short break. A fifteen-minute walk can ease your stress and make you more mentally refreshed when you return to studying.
• Try to get enough sleep.
• When friends or famly are getting on your nerves, remind yourself that it’s your stress not theirs. Then find a place where you can be alone to study.
• And if you’re stressed because you procrastinated or had bad study habits this semester, then once the finals are through, analyze your habits and come up with a plan to make things better next semester.
• And for staff members, give students the benefit of the doubt this week if they seem a little impatient or irritated. Finals are stressful!

Good luck on finals!