News & Blog

Hey Knights!

Spring 2020 finals are going to be a little different this year because of COVID-19, but as always, UCF Libraries is going to do the best we can to ensure that they go smoothly. We have a number of online resources including research tips, self-care tips, videos, the Ask A Librarian virtual reference service, and much more.

First, some self-care tips:

1. Plan Ahead. Though this may seem more related to academics than to mental health, you should always plan ahead. Whether you’re a digital planner or an analog planner, having a good idea of what’s coming ahead will help relief a lot of the anxiety and stress that is already a major part of finals.
2. Try Meditation. Meditation can seem intimidating at first, but even if it’s just for five minutes a day, it can help to clear your head. There are plenty of free meditation resources online Like Deepak Chopra’s 21 Days of Meditation. You can also look for free Guided Meditation videos on YouTube.
3. Do Yoga. More than anything, yoga is about mindfulness. If you have some free time during the day, or need to get up from your workstation, doing yoga is a great way to get your blood flowing and clear your head. There are plenty of YouTube videos that offer yoga tutorials and practice. A popular one is Yoga with Adriene.
4. Breathe. Sometimes when we’re anxious or nervous, we have a hard time grounding ourselves. Taking a deep breath can help re-center us and make us remember what’s right in front of us and what’s important. There ae plenty of breathing exercises you can try but we recommend these for releasing tension.
5. Do something fun. Print out some free coloring pages or watch a movie. UCF Libraries offers free video streaming and we have an online library of feature films and documentaries all for your entertainment. You can access these videos here: https://library.ucf.edu/. Be sure to click the video tab when you search for things to watch.

Now for study tips:

1. Take breaks. One way to get through prolonged periods is to take breaks after long periods of working.  If you cram for too long you can end up overworking. One great technique is the Pomodoro Method – traditionally you work for 25 minutes and take a break for 5, but you can double up and work for 50-minute and take a 10-minute break. All you need is a timer.
2. Keep a clean and organized workspace. Even if you’re working on your bed, at your desk or on the porch, make sure your space is clean. If you’ve got a messy space it can be hard to think clearly since the mess can be overwhelming.
3. Ask Questions! Aside from contacting your professors, you can also contact us at: https://library.ucf.edu/ask/. If you’re trying to find an online resource whether it’s an eBook, a journal, or an academic article, we have you covered.
4. Check out our video archive full or research tips and study related videos. Some that might be useful at this time are:
   1. Speed Studying
   2. Finding EBooks
   3. Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles
   4. Is this journal online?

We know that this time is stressful and unpredictable but know that you have options and you have friends, families, and peers that care about you. Prioritizing your health is paramount to your success as a Knight and to your wellbeing in general.

Don’t forget: You can do this!

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