For a college student, there is nothing more bittersweet than finals week: you are so close to freedom that you can almost taste it, but you have a whole week filled with assignments and exams to push yourself through and all you wish you had was a finals care package at your door to help you survive!
The truth is that, by the end of the semester, most students are already exhausted, burned out, and overwhelmed which doesn’t help with the amount of work which they have to deal with. Moreover, on top of it all, this year college students have been affected by the Coronavirus as many of them have been having online classes and those who don’t, are experiencing a very challenging time being on campus during a world pandemic.
Therefore, finals week is the perfect time to showcase your favorite college student, whether they are your child, your sibling, your best friend, or your significant other, that you love and appreciate them. Let them know they are strong and they will make it through! Most people don’t realize just how overwhelming finals week can be and how, sometimes, it is hard to keep your mind positive and it is easy to let yourself be consumed by stress, anxiety, and/or exhaustion. Consequently, it is in times like this that you must remind your favorite college student that they are enough, that they have already made it so far, and that they can go through anything!
Care packages are a great way of making sure that your loved one not only knows that there is someone rooting for them, but also that they are able to keep themselves properly fed and motivated during such stressful times! By sending someone a care package, you are making sure that they have everything they need to put themselves through finals week and that their efforts are being recognized. This is why OCM has compiled a list of the best care packages to send to your college students during finals week and show them the support that they need!
In this article, we’re going to highlight:
- Why finals week can be so stressful and tips to help set you up for success
- Care packages with amazing snacks
- Care packages for those with dietary restrictions
- Care packages with delicious baked goods
Why is Finals Week So Stressful for Students Anyway?
Finals week only comes twice a year, but it can really take a toll on physical and mental health
Finals week for most schools typically falls at the end of the two semesters, in December and in April or May. This is a time of heightened stress, even more so than the ongoing flow of regular classes and assignments throughout the year. Although class may be over, finals week is where students are tested on what they’ve learned for the whole semester. This can be in the form of a final exam, project, presentation, paper, or other assignment.
While this may seem doable at first, the problem is that students are often taking four or five classes each semester. This means that those exams and assignments for all those courses are packed into a five day finals week. Because of this, some students end up having two finals scheduled for the same day, or have a paper and final due the same day. You can imagine the amount of stress that this causes. It’s a lot of studying and preparing to do in a short amount of time.
Some schools have recognized this and have extended finals week to include weekends or additional days, but the majority still operate on a one week exam time. This is why it’s essential students learn how to manage their time (and their stress) so that they’re successful for finals week.
But what are some of the best ways to make sure you survive finals week with your physical and mental health intact? Glad you asked because here are our top tips:
- Make sure you’re organized. One of the keys to making it successfully through finals week is to keep everything organized. The best way to do this is to map out when your exams take place, or when your papers are due. While this is easy to do in your phone, you may benefit from a low tech calendar to write everything in on. That way you can plan when to study for each test or to prepare for each paper or assignment. You can check out all our organizing options here!
- Keep your sleep schedule. One of the worst things to do during finals is to neglect your sleep. Pulling all-nighters is never a good idea, as everyone’s brain eventually reaches their limit and cannot accurately absorb additional information. This is a recipe for burnout! Instead—with the help of your calendar—you can write in on what days you need to prepare for your finals in each class. Keeping your sleep schedule is one of the best ways to ensure you’re functioning on all cylinders and ready to ace those exams.
- Try moments of mindful breaks. It’s super easy to get stressed and overwhelmed when you’re thinking of all the work you have ahead of you. Instead of thinking days in advance, just focus on one day at a time. Because you’re organized and prepared to tackle certain assignments on their designated day, it’s in your best interest to only focus on the now. Taking breaks and stopping to just breathe and relax are some of the best ways to ensure you’ll be ready to conquer that next task. Take a walk, grab a coffee/tea, zone out to some music, whatever puts you in your happy place and isn’t related to studying/work, make sure you take time to do it throughout the day.
- Stay hydrated and eat on a schedule. You can’t be at your best unless you’re hydrated and fueled up with nutritious food (and snacks too). Water is your best friend while you’re writing that paper or reviewing your notes, but don’t forget to keep your stomach satisfied. Care packages make this a little easier, more on that below!
Support, Motivation, and Snacks
Everyone knows that college students don’t have the best eating habits. Still, this isn’t a very good practice as in order to keep the brain functioning properly, one must first take care of their wellbeing. Moreover, finals week is often such a demanding time that often college students skip meals and/or forget to eat as their minds are constantly preoccupied with papers and exams.
This is why care packages filled with snacks are one of the best ways to give someone support and motivation while making sure that at least they will have something to eat. We’re going to highlight some of our favorites, but you can check out the full array of Exams Care Packages here!
Exam Cram Care Package
The Exam Cram Care Package has all the essential snacks a college student needs to survive finals week: almonds, chocolate, candy, cookies, and more! This is perfect for every time your favorite college student has to stay up late to finish a paper or can barely lift their eyes from their textbook as they must remain focused. The snacks in this care package are sure to please anyone who receives it and they will make sure that they are being fed and have enough energy to go through finals week.
Support Pack
The Support Pack care package is everything that a college student needs during finals week. No one has time for negativity or to let themselves be consumed by bad vibes during this time of the semester! Then, what better way to show your favorite college student that you love them and you are sending positive vibes and support their way than with a care package especially designed for that? Within this care package you will find popcorn, mac n’ cheese, pretzels, cookies, granola bars, and more! It is perfect enough to put a smile on the face of whoever receives this package.
Student Staples Care Package
The Student Staples Care Package is perfect for anyone who isn’t afraid of stepping up their game and making sure that their favorite college student is stocked with basically everything that they need! You will be able to find snacks such as jerky, chocolate, and crackers as well as actual meals such as ramen noodles and soups.
This care package surely can take away some of the weight of finals week and make anyone who receives it feel incredibly supported and motivated during finals week!
Spirit Pack
The Spirit Pack is the ultimate care package for any college student! This energy part includes Act II Microwave Popcorn, Cheez-its White Cheddar, Chex Mix, Snickers Candy Bar, Karl’s Trail Mix, Blue Diamond Almonds, and Chips Ahoy Cookies.
But you also get the support pack that includes Ramen Noodles Chicken Noodle Soup, Thick Brownie Protein Bar, Rold Gold Pretzels, Veggie Sticks Keystone, Kraft Mac and Cheese, Smart Food Popcorn, and more.
But don’t forget the stress-busting items like Neon Squeeze Stretch Relief Ball, Emoji Stress Ball, Rubik’s Cube, Fidget Cube, Metal Puzzle, Mosaic Bead Ball, Fidget Spinner.
This care package has everything you need to show someone all your support as well as how much you love them. Anyone who receives this during finals week will not be anything less than extremely grateful and happy!
Just Like Finals Week, Care Packages Are for Every College Student
Not every college student is the same and you shouldn’t worry about not being able to find the perfect care package for the college student in your life with dietary restrictions! OCM makes sure to have care packages which are inclusive to everyone. The truth is that keeping a balanced diet during finals week can be even more challenging for those with dietary restrictions as they might not have enough time to prepare special meals or even find the right snacks.
Therefore, why not make sure that they are well stocked with delicious snacks that also show them all your love and support? Here are a few of the best care packages for those with dietary restrictions.
Nut Free Spring Finals Package
Even though the Nut Free Spring Finals Package is perfect for college students who are allergic to nuts, it can be appreciated by those who simply do not like to eat them. Within this package you will find popcorn, candy, cereal bars, crackers, pretzels, and more! Everything is guaranteed to be nut free so you and your loved one don’t have to worry about any allergic reactions. Nothing shows more love and support to someone than a care package that has been carefully picked and that is filled with delicious and safe snacks! It is impossible to receive this package without smiling.
Gluten Free Spring Finals Package
There is nothing worse than having to deal with the symptoms of gluten intolerance or celiac disease during finals week! Therefore, the Gluten Free Spring Finals Package is perfect for everyone who can’t or would rather not eat gluten, especially during finals week! This package is extremely thoughtful as it is filled with completely gluten free snacks such as popcorn, chocolate, candy, fruit snacks, chips, beef jerky, and more! It is impossible to not feel loved and supported when you receive this package. Your college student will definitely feel motivated and happy with a care package such as this one.
Nut Free Snacks Care Package
Remember: no one is left out! Make sure to send your favorite college student a delicious Nut Free Snacks Care Package! There is nothing better than receiving a box filled with snacks which you know that you can eat without fear! Within this care package you will find Wheat Thins, Raisinets Chocolate Covered Raisins, Yum Earth Organic Fruit Snacks, Inka Plantain Chips, Stretch Island Fruit Leather, and more! The best thing about this package is the variety of snacks which are sure to make anyone feel supported and energized to keep things going during finals week.
Vegan Spring Finals Package
The Vegan Spring Finals Package is the perfect care package for the vegan college student in your life! If you have a vegan in your life, you probably know by now how picky they can be when it comes to food and you want to make sure that everything in a care package can actually be eaten by them-with this care package you can be sure! Here you will find chips, peanuts, cookies, cereal bars, candy, and more! Any vegan who receives this will be extremely happy and thankful for all the delicious treats!
Extra Special Care Packages Filled With Deliciously Baked Goods
There are no doubts that this semester college students may not have been able to experience as many delicious treats within their dining halls. Therefore, what better way to surprise your favorite college student and show them all of your love and support by sending them an extra special treat? Almost everyone loves baked goods and you probably won’t make a mistake by sending the person who you love some baked treats which are guaranteed to be delicious. However, remember to make sure to check for any dietary restrictions within OCM’s website. Here you will find the best cookies and brownies to send to your favorite college student during their finals week!
Mrs. Fields Happy Spring Bites Box
When it comes to Mrs. Fields baked goods, it is impossible to make a mistake! Both their brownies and cookies are extremely delicious and are enough to bring happiness to anyone; especially college students during their finals week! The Mrs. Fields Happy Spring Bites Box is filled with 18 nibbler-sized cookies, 18 bite-sized brownies, and 2 frosted flower cookies. This care package is perfect to be shared with and to spread love and support during finals week! Anyone who receives this will be so happy to receive such a thoughtful gift and they will enjoy the possibility of bringing joy to others as well. This care package is the equivalent of receiving a warm hug during such hard times.
Good Luck Dozen
Brownies are the best snacks, especially when it is after midnight and you need something to eat while writing your last term paper or revising for your final exam! The brownies are baked by Fairytale Brownies and they come in several flavors such as original, caramel, chocolate chip, cream cheese, and many more! Anyone who receives these brownies will definitely be able to feel very loved and supported during finals week. The truth is that there is nothing better than surprising and delivering happiness to someone you love with a delicious treat!
Finals week will suddenly become a lot more bearable with any of these care packages. Don’t be afraid to make your favorite college student’s day and send them all the love, support, and snacks that they deserve during one of the hardest weeks of the semester! They will be oh-so-thankful that you did.
