Although most college students look forward to May and June with high hopes at the impending summer and freedom it entails, they also have one giant hurdle to clear before they're home free: finals. And as anybody who has survived college knows, finals are never a walk in the park.

Whenever finals roll around, students find themselves cramming into libraries, study lounges, and all-night diners to pack a semester's worth of knowledge – for anywhere from four to six classes – into their heads. Some form groups, some study solo. Others blast music while still others need complete silence. And all of them usually forgo sleep and anything remotely resembling healthy food in order to focus completely on their final tests, papers, and projects.

What all this adds up to is a lot of stress, and the higher potential for a breakdown.

Breaking down stress

Although we tend to use the word "stress" as a blanket term, there are actually two different types of stress: eustress and distress. The Greek prefix "eu" means "well" or "good," so that eustress actually means "good stress." This is the stress that comes from positive events in life, such as meeting a challenge, receiving a promotion, or falling in love. Eustress motivates us to keep doing better and better.

Distress, on the other hand, is the negative stress that most of us think of when we think of "stress." This is the stress that makes us feel overwhelmed and can negatively impact us mentally, physically, and emotionally. It's important to know when eustress becomes distress, because at that point, you need a break. Dealing with distress will make you less productive, which is the last thing you want when you're studying for finals.

Using meditation to de-stress

Meditation is one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve both mental and physical health. A simple meditation technique can only take 20 minutes, and you'll find yourself less tired and more alert afterwards. That alone will greatly improve your studying.

When the mind is so overwhelmed, you may need a physical meditation tool to help you focus. This is something that can cut through all the formulas, names, and 18th-century literature that you've been stuffing into your mind, and help you achieve a few moments of peace and tranquility. Meditation tools can help even novices achieve a deeper and more beneficial meditative state. And some meditation tools, like the Zen Stick, are portable, so you can take them wherever you study, whether it's the library or the local late-night diner.

Some techniques for using the Zen Stick

When you're studying, and you realize that you've read the same sentence four times without understanding a word, that's when it's time to take a break. To use your Zen Stick, you simply toss and catch the stick with your eyes closed. Doing this when you're getting burned out can give your mind the peace it needs to rejuvenate and prepare for more studying.

Once you've gotten the hang of tossing your Zen Stick, try adding breathing exercises. Just time your breathing to match your tossing and catching.

Meditating for less stressful finals

Unfortunately, final exams and final papers will never go away. But by adding meditation techniques to your studying repertoire, you could cut down on the distress those tests bring about at the end of every semester. Don't let finals become the bane of your existence. Start fighting stress today with meditation.

About the Author
Get started on meditation today. Visit SleepingTiger.org and sign up for a free newsletter packed with meditation tips and techniques.

Laurie Desjardins is a meditation expert and creator of the Zen Stick relaxation tool. If you want to truly align your mind, body and spirit, consider adding the Zen Stick to your relaxation repertoire. For more information about meditation techniques and Zen Sticks, visit http://www.sleepingtiger.org.