11 Reasons Why Finals Are Actually The Best

You may be tired, brain-dead, and stressed out of your mind. But you have to admit — it’s kind of a beautiful disaster. If paying for a college degree has you even more stressed, check out Strayer University, making earning your bachelor's degree up to 40% more affordable.

1. All that time at the coffee shop is actually increasing your creativity.

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It's true! The mood music played at your local coffee joint has been shown to make you more productive and imaginative.

2. You have a great excuse to get to the gym.

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Studies have shown that 30 minutes of exercise increases your short-term memory. It's best to exercise after studying and before testing.

3. And to take a nap.

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If napping usually makes you feel like a lazy person, use finals as an excuse to get some guilt-free sleep. Napping (done the right way) will keep you alert well into the next day, even after sleeping the night in between.

4. If you're studying the right way, you'll end up visiting a lot of different places.

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Because so much of retention is based on context, it's best to switch your study location every time you study a different subject.

5. Mnemonic devices are F.U.N.

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The different types of mnemonics might be more complicated than what you're using them to remember.

6. Even if you're bombing a test, you're practicing test-taking skills that will undoubtedly make you better.

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Tests don't stop after college, so it's best to learn some test-taking skills while you can.

7. And after the test, you become an expert on a subject you never thought you would.

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In fact, it's the test itself that often provokes retention. Studies show you're more likely to actually learn something if you know you'll be tested on it.

8. Checking your grades is a fun thrill! It's like a scary movie, but you don't have to buy a ticket.

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But, hey! At least you're stressed for a reason. This year, 78% of employers reported that GPA is a criterion by which they screen candidates. :/

9. There's absolutely no limit on chocolate.

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After all, cocoa has been shown to stimulate blood flow to the brain.

10. Or ice cream.

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Besides the obvious happiness rush, ice cream has been shown to calm the nervous system and provide relief for insomnia sufferers.

11. And if anything, "finals" is just a short way of saying, "FINALLY!"

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If you think about it, you've been studying for finals since the moment the course began. It's a marathon, not a sprint!