Does this look like you studying for final exams? It's okay, you need sleep! Photo: Pragmagraphr
College finals week typically brings with it stress, overwhelm, and mayhem. The good news is finals week doesn’t have to be insanity. Here are 12 tips to help you survive and thrive during finals week.
- Calculate your time. Review your final exam schedule and put study time on the calendar.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Getting a full night’s rest will help you to be awake and alert.
- Take breaks! While it’s important to schedule study time, it’s equally important to schedule breaks. Otherwise mental fatigue and burnout will settle in and your brain will be mush when you need it most.
- Study in different locations. It’s amazing how a change of scenery can help keep you focused! Study at your desk, study outside, study at the library, study with your study group. Variety is the spice of life.
- Prioritize your tests. Calculate how much the test actually matters. Some tests are 20% of your final grade. Others are worth 30 or 40%. Factor in how important the final score is going to be to your overall grade and how well you have been doing in those classes, and then prioritize your time accordingly.
- Eat healthy and stay hydrated. A steady diet of Cheetos and Diet Coke will not give you the brain power you need to focus during finals week. Brain foods like blueberries, avocados, whole grains, and eggs will help improve your mental functioning and have more effective study time.
- Vary your study materials. It can get boring studying the same thing for too long. Using the Pomodoro Technique, set a timer and study one exam’s materials for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. At the end of the break, study for another class, then take a break. Lather, rinse, repeat.
- Exercise. If your brain has ceased to receive information, put the books on hold and run around the block, do a few yoga poses, or do 10 push-ups. It will help get the blood flowing again and energize you.
- Review your final schedule. Keep in mind that your final exam may be at a different time and location than your typical class.
- Be prepared. Bring scratch paper, two Number 2 pencils, and a calculator with you to the exam. Spending $5 to rent a calculator when you have a perfectly functional calculator at home is just of $5.
- Review your cheatsheet last minute. The morning of your test, review the key points, formulas, and vocabulary so it’s fresh in your mind when you start your exam.
- Reward yourself! Let’s be honest, you busted your butt all semester long and just nailed your final exam. Do something to celebrate! Go see a movie! Get a pedicure! Go out to dinner with friends! You deserve it.
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