We've all got our own ways of managing workloads at the end of the semester. Whether it's your first semester as a Rebel or your last, here are a few tips to have a successful finish to the academic year. 

Unwind at Campus Events

Students can take a break from studying and enjoy downtime with their friends at the last few campus events this semester. 

• The Academic Success Center and The Coaching Spot are providing grab-and-go snacks to help you stay fueled and focus. Follow the ASC for more information.
• The Rebel Events Board is hosting a Late Night Breakfast event on May 4 from 9 p.m. to midnight featuring giveaways, a performance from the Society of Light Saber Duelists, and free breakfast food.
• UNLV Libraries is hosting Dog Therapy on Thursday to help you unwind and focus. Volunteers also helped pack up more than 1,500 snack bags that will be distributed throughout the week.

Take a Walk to Clear Your Mind

Being in nature has been shown to improve your mood, and there are plenty of places on campus where you can explore green spaces and take a moment to reset. Even as little as 40 seconds spent in nature have been shown to significantly reduce the number of mistakes made while performing repetitive tasks, according to research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

The UNLV Grounds team recommends checking out the xeric garden near the Barrick Museum of Art. The newest addition is an Argentine Toothpick that grows long spines that look like — you guessed it — toothpicks. The garden has something to explore any time of the year. 

Or see if you can identify one of UNLV's several Champion Trees—a tree designated by the Nevada Division of Forestry as the largest of its kind in the state. Find your way to the Weeping Mulberry that sits on the hill near the Carlson Education Building. 

Browse Resources to Help You Succeed

You@UNLV is full of helpful resources and connections for all students, no matter the time of the year. The online portal allows users to assess their current physical, mental, and social needs and pairs them with campus resources or online tools.

If you’re just getting started with the app, Trey Curtis-Brown, a UNLV graduate student and the YOU@UNLV campus ambassador, emphasizes that the app is meant to give you a holistic approach to helping you manage your well being. He recommends using the app's “Matter” feature to learn more about yourself so you can find the best tools to help you succeed. 

Make a Study Plan

A lot of students go to the library to study without thinking through their approach. Even spending just a couple of minutes planning out your study session can have a big benefit. 

• Take regular breaks. Don’t try to cram studying for an entire subject in one long sitting. Instead, try to break each subject into half-hour increments, take a 10-minute break (a great time for a walk), and move to another subject for an additional half-hour. Give yourself another 10-minute break and repeat the process with the first subject you were studying. Intermittent breaks use different aspects of the brain and may help you retain more information.
• Location, Location, Location. Try to study in the same spot where you’ll be taking your test. For example, if your class is web-based and you often take tests in your room, then try to study there as well. Studies have shown that your brain is more likely to remember things you learned previously in the same environment.
• Office hours. Feeling stuck in a class? Don’t be afraid to visit your instructors during office hours. They are here to help and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about an upcoming exam. Your instructor has an abundance of knowledge in your subject and will have the insight needed to help get you moving in the right direction.
• You@UNLV has even more study tips, suggestions, and resources to help you study.

Food is Fuel

Finals may bring some extra nerves and a busy schedule, making it difficult to eat a balanced meal. However, it’s still important to give yourself the proper nutrition needed to set yourself up for success with finals.

Need some inspiration for what to make? UNLV’s Fitness4Finals can come to the rescue, offering helpful resources for more than just exercise! From one-pot cajun pasta to peanut butter oatmeal cookies, check out the Fitness4Finals website for an array of easy and healthy recipes that will keep you fueled for finals