It’s finally that time of year—but not the snowy, cozy part when campus looks like a postcard or the Amherst Commons lights up. I mean finals season. As a first-year, I’m definitely feeling some nerves as my deadlines approach, but I’ve been surprised by how much support Amherst offers and how much calmer I feel when I actually use it. Here are the four main things I’m doing to prepare:
The Strategic Learning Center
This morning, at 9:45 a.m. (bright and early by my standards), I climbed the stairs to the second floor of Frost Library to meet with Mark Sleiter, the Assistant Director of the Strategic Learning Center (SLC). The SLC quickly became one of my favorite campus resources—I booked my first appointment during orientation and have been returning ever since.
Today, Mark and I mapped out a study schedule for finals: what each exam requires, how I should study for them, and where my open blocks of time fit in. Walking out an hour later, I felt much more grounded and confident about what the next two weeks will look like.
The Mind Spa
Once a month, I grab a friend and head to the Keefe Center basement for our Mind Spa appointment. The room is dimly lit and peaceful, and it houses three of the nicest massage chairs I’ve ever seen—complete with zero-gravity and heated settings. During finals season, this small ritual feels especially important. It gives me 45 minutes to decompress, catch up with a friend, listen to music, or just breathe before diving back into work.
Center for Counseling and Mental Health
Keeping with the theme of taking care of my mind, I also made an appointment at the Center for Counseling and Mental Health (CCMH) for this week. Amherst offers all students 45-minute, bi-weekly sessions included in tuition, which made it easy to try. Talking with a counselor about adjusting to college, managing workload, and navigating academic anxieties has been incredibly grounding—especially now, when everything feels like it’s happening at once. The offices are only a five-minute walk from campus, so I like scheduling sessions between classes.
Zumba at the O’Connor Commons
While preparing my mind for finals, I’ve also been trying to keep my body moving. For me, that looks like Zumba on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Zumba is a full-body cardio workout built around dance, and it’s perfect when I’m tight on time but need to shake off stress. I love going with friends—or on my own to meet new people—and I’ve noticed that the more sessions I attend, the more the moves start to click. I’ll go twice this week and will absolutely miss it once the semester ends.
Wrapping Up
As my first finals season approaches, I’m realizing that success isn’t just about studying—it’s about balance. Having spaces to plan, unwind, talk things through, and stay active has made this stretch feel a lot less overwhelming. I’m still a little nervous, but with these routines and resources, I feel much more prepared for what’s ahead.