The Peel — Winter Edition

Check In: How do you feel now that finals are over?

Finals are done! Before jumping to what’s next, take a second to really register that.

You made it through weeks of studying, clinicals, deadlines, and long days that demanded focus and stamina. However the exams went, completing the term is an accomplishment in itself — one built on consistency, effort, and showing up even when it wasn’t easy. The days after finals are a natural pause point. It’s a time when the pressure lifts and there’s space to breathe again. You don’t need to rush to evaluate the term or plan the next one. This moment is simply about letting your body and mind catch up to the fact that you’re done.

As you move into this break, try holding onto this question: What would feel genuinely nourishing for me right now?

Let that guide how you rest, reset, and ease into whatever comes next!

Curious about what’s next?

With finals behind you, this can be a good time to think (without pressure) about how you want to use the weeks ahead. Some students want full rest. Others like having something light and meaningful alongside their break.

If you’re interested in gaining patient-facing experience that fits around a student schedule, Grapefruit Health offers flexible, paid opportunities focused on communication, empathy, and real-world clinical interaction.

NCLEX Preparation

Question of the Week 📚

NCLEX-Style Thinking

Now that finals are over, this is a good time to shift how you study—not how much. Here are a few study habits that support NCLEX-style thinking:

1. Start with questions, not content
Begin a study session with practice questions—even if you don’t feel “ready.” Questions reveal how content is tested and highlight gaps faster than passive review.

2. Read the stem like a nurse, not a student
Before looking at the options, ask yourself:

• What is the client’s main problem?

• Is this an actual or potential issue?

• What framework applies (ABCs, safety, Maslow, nursing process)?

3. Review wrong answers carefully
The value of practice questions comes from understanding why an option is wrong. Pay attention to patterns—are you missing priority cues, labs, or safety language?

4. Study in shorter, focused blocks
Quality matters more than duration. Twenty to thirty focused minutes reviewing rationales often beats long, distracted sessions.

5. End by summarizing one takeaway
Write down one rule you’d want to remember under pressure (e.g., “Assess before intervene,” or “Airway always comes first”). These rules are what surface during exams.

You don’t need to study everything at once. Building NCLEX thinking is about repetition, not intensity (and you’ve already started doing that).

Going Above and Beyond

Professional development isn’t limited to classes, clinicals, or checking boxes on a syllabus. Some of the experiences that shape the strongest nurses happen outside of traditional coursework! Things like patient advocacy, community health work, research projects, health education, peer mentoring, or flexible patient-facing roles all build skills that carry directly into nursing practice—especially communication, empathy, adaptability, and confidence working with diverse populations.

Exploring opportunities beyond school can also help you see healthcare from different perspectives and clarify what kinds of roles energize you. This doesn’t mean overloading your schedule or chasing credentials. Even one experience that feels interesting and manageable can broaden how you approach patient care and teamwork. As you move into a break or a lighter stretch, consider whether there’s something you’re curious about trying. These experiences add depth to your training—and future you will thank you for taking the time to explore.

Rest & Relaxation

With finals behind you, winter doesn’t have to be about pushing or catching up. It’s a chance to let your pace reset and rebuild energy in ways that actually last. Wellness in this season isn’t about adding routines or optimizing habits—it’s about making your days feel more comfortable and sustainable, especially after an intense academic stretch. Small adjustments tend to work better than big changes.

A few winter-friendly ways to support yourself:

• Keep at least one part of your day predictable (morning routine, evening wind-down, or meals)

• Prioritize warmth and rest—warm food, layered clothing, and enough sleep go a long way

• Spend time outside when you can, even briefly, to reset your focus

• Let rest be restorative, not something you need to earn

The goal isn’t to feel energized all the time. It’s to feel steady enough to enjoy your break, return to school refreshed, and move into the next term without carrying extra fatigue. Winter wellness is about easing back in—not powering through.

Something Warm, Just for You

After finals, it’s nice to enjoy a warm drink without attaching it to studying, deadlines, or productivity. A cozy drink can be a simple way to slow down, mark the end of the term, and enjoy a quiet moment during winter break.

A few easy, comforting ideas:

• Hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint

• Chai or spiced black tea with milk

• Herbal teas like chamomile, ginger, or rooibos

• Warm apple cider or apple tea

These kinds of small rituals can help your body relax and signal that it’s okay to be off-duty for a bit. No pressure to make anything elaborate—sometimes the best part is just holding something warm and letting yourself pause.

Enjoy the sip, take your time, and let it be part of the exhale.

Freshly Squeezed Jokes 🍊

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One Last Thing 💡

However you’re spending the days after finals—resting, traveling, catching up with people, or simply doing a little less—know that this pause matters. It gives you space to reset, enjoy what you’ve accomplished, and ease into the next season of your training with more clarity and confidence.

Take this time to do things that feel grounding and restorative, even if they’re small. You don’t need to have everything planned or figured out yet. You’re moving forward, and that’s enough for now.

We’ll be here when you’re ready to jump back in. Enjoy the break—and take good care of yourself!

—
The Grapefruit Health Team