6 Ways To Stay Sane In Your Final Year

Many people say that the final year of uni is the most important. By extension, it is probably going to be the most stressful.

Here is a simple guide to keeping your sanity.

Don’t put too much on your plate

Know your limits.

These are the golden words.  Burnout means exhaustion, both mentally and physically – and it’s not a good thing!

Maybe you want to try out all of the sports you never could be bothered to in previous years. Or perhaps you’ve realised that you need to get a job to save hard cash for post-uni life. Either way, always leave time for rest and relaxation; it’s better for you in the long run.

Use your student services

You may have been easily sailing through essays and exams so far, but years working at a degree can take their toll. It’s important to remember that these services – such as counselling or essay advice – are there to help. There’s no shame in using them. Exploit the system while you can!

Counselling in particular can be an incredibly important thing to try at least once in your life, and when better than when it’s free? Often people think that they need to be depressed or unstable to need counselling. Not only is this a myth, but these things are also hard to define for some people.

As Thomas Moore writes for the Huffington Post: “I have yet to meet a completely healthy, adjusted neurosis-free person.” This is most likely to surface when you are reaching breaking point with uni work.

Maintain your physical health

You’re not going to write beautifully eloquent essays or remember facts for exams if you have swollen tonsils and endless fatigue. Not only this, but having ill health can contribute to stress levels, pushing you closer and closer to burnout.

Ensure you’re signed up to your local doctor’s surgery. Being prepared pays off when you suddenly develop tonsillitis a couple of days before an exam. It also doesn’t hurt to take a vitamin and have a piece of fruit now and then. Maintaining a healthy diet will give you more energy and motivation overall… which leads onto the next point!

Stop snacking

It may seem like you’re being pretty smart by having eight bags of crisps in the library instead of making an actual sandwich. Actually, all you are doing is starving your body of the nutrients it needs and not filling your hungry stomach! Stacking is a cruel friend.

When you do a shop, try to buy things that can be easily manipulated to make several different meals. Make quick things like spaghetti Bolognese or pasta bake and sneak a bit of onion into them to get at least one of your five a day. Have actual meals and feel satisfied and energised; if you don’t want to take my word for it then at least trust the NHS.

Keep your friends close

As your plate gets so full it’s on the brink of collapsing, it might be time to have a cry. Who better to borrow a shoulder from than a trusty mate?

The friends you have in your final year will most likely (hopefully) stick with you for the rest of your life. So keep them close through one of the most difficult years of your academic career. Sometimes all you need is a hug.

Nap if you need to

Napping is part of the healthy mind and balanced diet combination. Napping on an essay break might even be a great way to refresh your brain! Just don’t overdo it.

Go forth and conquer, my final year friends!

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