6 Ways Holiday Music Can Get You Through Finals Week

By Krista Chavez, President

As finals week looms, we are all stressing, drinking an unhealthy amount of caffeine, and not sleeping enough. Our brains are on information-overload, and our bodies are suffering from the chocolate we are consuming to drown our woes.

    There is, however, one light at the end of the tunnel that we all can keep in the back of our minds: Winter Break. The promise of a home-cooked meal, friends, and family is there, and we can make it by listening to holiday music.

    Why this music? Well, I devised 6 major reasons why holiday music can get us through finals:

1. Remind yourself there is the promise of a better future

While finals week sucks, holiday music reminds us that there is something better at the end. “A Holly, Jolly Christmas” promises “the best time of the year,” or “Feliz Navidad” inspires us to be kind and caring while dancing around and wishing people a Merry Christmas from the bottom of our hearts.

2. Sulk to a relaxing nap-time tune

Need something to calm you for that 30 minute nap between papers? Tune into a soft, soothing sound like “Silent Night” or “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” These tones will give you a temporary peace while resting before your next mental breakdown.

3. Take a Fun Dance Break

Get up and move your feet with a second of exercise and stress relief with Michael Buble’s upbeat “Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” During this song, I like to get up, sing, and dance around the room for 4 minutes to help with restlessness.

4. Utilize it as a "classic" way to study

There are tons of traditional holiday songs that do not have lyrics that can help with  studying like Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” from “The Nutcracker” and John Rutter’s  “Sleigh Ride.” My personal favorite would be Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker album, for it got me  through my Economics final paper with an A.   

5. Getting in a few giggles between tears

Crying from the paper that you don’t think you can mentally handle doing anymore? Put  on any version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and just listen to the lyrics. The desperation of the  male lead trying to convince the woman to stay is bound to give you a few laughs. Another  fantastic giggle song would be, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”   

6. Use it as a Reminder of Your Blessings

Even though it may not feel like it at the moment while your hands are cramping from  writing all your notes out, we are truly blessed to be receiving an education. There are too many  children around the world (and in America, for that matter) who do not have the same  opportunities as us. Listening to songs like, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and  “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” will reiterate how fortunate we are to be in this  position.    

Remember: Finals only last for one week, and then you can go home and have cookies.

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