FINALS: DEALING WITH DISTRACTION

Last week I talked about dealing with the pressure of the finals that high school students and spring session college students are in the midst of now. For some students, however, the problem of finals is at the other end of the extreme. With the pressure and structure of regular classes and labs off, there are so many interesting and pleasurable things going on in June that it’s hard to maintain focus for these last critical weeks.

Friends are chilling out together–and you don’t want to be left out! Family gatherings, some of which haven’t taken place since before COVID, want you there–and you want to be there! The weather is great for hiking, biking, or just driving out to explore the countryside. Maybe a new relationship is taking intense time–and you want to ensure it continues to go well.

It’s so easy to follow social and seasonal pressure–these are well-evolved adaptations as part of being human. Family, friends, sunshine and the great outdoors: Procrastinating studies can provide short-term social gain and short-term mental health gain.

Yet taking the long view, we don’t want the consequence of writing suboptimal finals: the consequences can be less than optimal long-term gain in family, relationships, and well-being.

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How do you maximize long-term gain and short-term benefits?

First, you acknowledge that you are pulled toward social and seasonal pleasure–which makes you human, after all. And you recognize that strategic compromise can mean you plan for pleasure as well as finals by adapting how you are going to meet both academic goals and nonacademic priorities.

Second, your chance of maximizing your study/pleasure balance is going to be much greater if you (a) replace the structure that was lost when class ended with a regular structure that incorporates study, exams . . . and time for family, friends, and nature, and (b) get creative about adapting how you meet your nonacademic priorities.

Getting creative about meeting your nonacademic priorities? Here are some examples. If there’s a family reunion, anniversary, or wedding, let people know that you’ll pop in with a gift even though you’re prepping for a key exam. Lawyers and plumbers meet their clients’ emergencies and don’t sacrifice their business–they get creative to meet both client and family priorities.

Another example: A budding relationship may need communication time. Scheduling meaningful check-ins ahead of time as a reward that shows you value the relationship while maintaining the long view.

Another example: You are itching to get out in the sun and the greenery with your bike! Have a look at your study schedule, and build in an hour. Maybe you take a short lunch. Maybe you bike to that reunion in the park.

In short, it’s not a case of all or nothing. Structure, scheduling, and creativity in ensuring that you don’t have to sacrifice your studies to enjoy the season, and you don’t have to sacrifice your social and nature priorities to do a creditable job on your exams.

Again, you can do this. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about getting through, and doing a creditable job that keeps an eye on the long term while allowing for other priorities that are part of being human.

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The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS PLEASE DIAL 911.