Photo Courtesy: Dan Worden
By Katie Seaton, Swimming World College Intern
HONOLULU – Finals are always a scary time for any swimmer in class, be it high school or college. Here are 6 tips to help swimmers survive finals.
1. DO NOT SKIP PRACTICE
Photo Courtesy: Sophie Allen
As much as you will want to during this week of distress, it is not worth it! Like your coach says, “For every practice you miss, it takes two to make up for it.” If you miss a practice because you are cramming for finals, you just took three steps backwards. Keep moving forward in school and in the pool, even if that means practicing on your own time to compensate for a final that conflicts with your practice time.
2.SLEEP
Photo Courtesy: Sophie Allen
Shoot for the recommended seven hours each night! Sleep is key to performing well at anything. One cannot study, swim or function effectively without some time for the mind and body to rest. Plus, neither your teammates nor your classmates want to put up with someone who is moody and negative about the day.
3.EAT
Photo Courtesy: Katie Seaton
Stay away from the fast food cravings during your study breaks! Toss the fries and pizza and dig in to a bowl of nuts or blueberries. Many swimmers will experience the munchies when studying, so satisfy your hunger with food good for the brain and for your practice later! Blueberries contain lots of antioxidants and nutrients. The sugar and vitamins in fruits such as blueberries, apples and bananas will assist you in getting that A on your final! Eating avocados can also help aid the stress of being an in season student-athlete during finals.
4.STUDY WITH YOUR TEAMMATES
Photo Courtesy: Dan Worden
Misery loves company. Studying with fellow swimmers can help you overcome the boredom of trying to retain massive amounts of information alone. Group study sessions can be extremely beneficial for all members of the group because chances are at least one of your teammates has a grip on what you are struggling to understand. Even if you do not have any swimmers in your classes, studying among your teammates can serve as strong moral support. If they can do it so can you, motivate your team in and out of the pool.
5.TIME MANAGEMENT
Photo Courtesy: Katie Seaton
Avoid Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Vine (etc.) Social media is pure distraction and leads to procrastination. Shut off your phones and focus in on your studies. You do not swim distracted, so do not study distracted. The time you will spend being productive will allow you more time to sleep later and will help ease the stress factor that comes along with finals.
6. SWIMMING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
Photo Courtesy: Collin Happ
Again, do not miss practice. Make your study breaks the hours you spend in the pool each day. Leave your studies outside the pool deck, and give yourself beneficial time to rejuvenate after hours of cramming. Swimming is a stress reliever that releases endorphins. So, after practice, you will feel refreshed, and more prepared to take on the rest of your finals. Getting in a practice each day is good for one’s mental and physical health. At the end of finals week, you will be thankful that you killed your finals and held on to your endurance in the water. Good luck with finals swimmers!!!
Katie Seaton is a freshman breaststroker at Hawaii. She graduated from Yucaipa High School in Calif., and finished as the school record holder in the 100 breast and 200 IM.