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Drexel Library

Finals Week Virtual Stress Relief: Home

Welcome! Here are some ideas to relieve stress and help you relax during final exams, provided by the Drexel University Libraries.

Stressed about final exams? We get it, and we're here to help.

Even though the Drexel Libraries' physical locations remain closed due to COVID-19 and we can't offer 24/7 study spaces, we can provide information and remote activities to help our Dragons succeed. Because studying is important, but so is taking a break to refresh and refocus your mind.

Whether it's connecting you to meditation resources and origami tutorials, printable coloring pages, online puzzles, or tips for self-care, you can find a way to relax and get stuff done with the Drexel Libraries. Please enjoy this resource guide full of activities and information to help you unwind and take a brain break whenever you need one.

When You're Ready to Get Back to Studying

We’re here to help you. When you get back to studying, check out the Libraries’ study aids or contact us for help with research and resource questions and we’ll help you find the answers!

Ask A Librarian:

 

Coping with Daily Life During a Pandemic

​For tips on coping with daily life during a pandemic, the CDC has created a guide for managing stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tips for Managing Stress During Finals Week

Finals are stressful--and it's important to take some time to relax and manage your stress levels. Thankfully, there are several ways to manage stress (courtesy of the National Institute of Mental Health):

  1. Be observant: Recognize your body's response to stress (difficulty sleeping, increased use of alcohol and other substances, irritability, depression, low energy, etc.)
     
  2. Try to relax: Explore different activities designed to decrease stress and support mindfulness, wellness, and mental health (see: the Relaxation & Mindfulness section of this guide).
     
  3. Set reasonable goals: Decide what tasks need your immediate attention, and which can wait for later. Learning when to say "no" when you're feeling overwhelmed is a key step to managing and reducing stress.
     
  4. Stay connected: Remember that you are not alone. Reaching out to others for emotional support works to mutually benefit yourself and those around you.
     
  5. Devote time to your hobbies: Rome wasn't built in one day - so, don't feel like you have to tackle all of your tasks in one day. It's important to set aside time for activities outside of schoolwork, such as listening to music, playing games, cooking a meal, or reading a book.

Check Out Our Staff Remote Libraries - We're Here to Help, Just Online!

Jeremy Elias, Assistant II, Client Access Experiences, and Capt’n work at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luna the cat keeps an eye on Lydia Smith, Specialist I, Client Access Experiences, now that she is working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachel Weidner, Administrative Coordinator, stands at a makeshift standing desk in her home in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mephisto stays close by to keep an eye on things.

"The biggest advantage to working from home is sitting next to open windows instead of a basement – and this is the best time of year to not be working in a basement. The biggest disadvantage is noise: neighbors playing music, roommates talking on the phone, the neighbor's yappy dog." - Simon Ragovin, Archives Technician, on his office upgrade during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Danuta A. Nitecki, Dean of Libraries, made her dining room "workplace familiar" by setting up her office laptop and her water cup to remind her to hydrate.

Bleach the cat perches on John Wiggins' (Director, Services, & Quality Improvement) home workstation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communications Manager Stacy Stanislaw and her new "assistants," Georgia (front) and Chase Mutley (sofa), work from a card table set up in her home in Philadelphia.

Janice Masud-Paul, Health Sciences Librarian, works from her new home office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mel Bradley, Technician II for Resource Sharing, and her new "coworker" Guinness have set up a cozy workspace in the living room.

The Libraries Specialist for Library Integrated Technology Systems, Javier Arroyo, works from his home office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharon Brubaker, Technician III for Acquisitions, created an office space in her kitchen nook.

Sam Kirk, Manager for Curricula Support, found a sunny spot to set up her home office.