It's Finals Time!

         Who doesn't love finals?! Long, sleepless nights, stress eating in the dining hall, and cranky peers: what's not to love!  Dealing with the stress that final exams, presentations, and papers bring is hard enough, but being diabetic makes this time no easier to say the least.  

          I've found that stress usually drives my sugars up, although if I don't make an effort to eat enough before an exam I've fallen low during the middle of a class as well.  It's always important to test your blood sugar at least a couple hours or so before heading into an exam, so you'll have time to correct.  And then be sure to test again to make any other minor adjustments and avoid any surprises.

         It can sometimes be helpful to discuss your condition with your professors upfront.  That way, if an issue comes up during the middle of the exam there's a better chance they'll be more understanding.  However, when you're in a large lecture class it can be hard to feel like your condition will really matter that much.  But its important to remember you have every right to stand up for your health. 

         When studying, both high and low blood sugars can affect your concentration.  Difficultly reading, headaches, and blurred vision can all be signs that you're experiencing hyperglycemia.  It's easy to have several hours in the library pass by without stopping to test your sugar.  I'll sometimes set a timer on my cell phone or iPod to remind me. 

    

         Joseph Campbell is the creator of myth theory, which essentially states that all stories follow one standard outline.  The hero sets out on a journey with a set end goal, and along the way discovers something greater about themselves.  There are guides, challenges, danger, and elixirs that arise during the journey.  The journey that every student (hero) takes during finals week falls nicely into the theory.  A good grade on a finale exam (the goal) is met with the help of teachers, peers, and tutors (guides), and can be interfered with by exhaustion, parties, friends, and procrastination (challenges and dangers).  Perhaps energy drinks act as elixirs.  

         Whatever exam or challenge you are preparing yourself for, good luck, and stay healthy!