Ah, yes. It’s that time of year again. The birds are chirping, the days are getting longer, and you can finally walk to class in a t-shirt and jeans and not feel like your toes are going to fall off. But the coming of April also means something else: final exams are just around the corner.
It’s that week of testing fury where you live on coffee, and just about anything else that will keep you awake while you try and cram a whole semester of learning into your brain.
But studying for finals doesn’t have to complete torture, while most of you (or probably all of you) haven’t even thought about finals week, but it never hurts to learn some tips and tricks for a hassle-free finals week.
- Plan your week around studying I know you may want to procrastinate and go shopping for 5 hours, but reality is you have to dedicate this week to your studies. Look at your planner or calendar and decide when you need to start studying for each exam. Make a study schedule, and stick to it! Plan breaks in between, but make sure they are productive breaks, and not simple procrastination. Schedule in a 30-minute walk around campus, or 20 minutes to walk to Subway for lunch or dinner.
- Pick the right spot to study! I prefer the Iowa Memorial Union because there are snacks and plenty of room to study. I sit in the River Room when I casually study, and I try and find an empty room upstairs when I really know I need to buckle down. Some people prefer the atmosphere of the library, surrounded by many others who are struggling to stay awake and study like they are. There are many other places to study on campus as well, as the Library and IMU tend to get the most crowded, so check out the Her Campus article on the best over looked spots to study at Iowa. No matter where you choose, make sure it’s somewhere you can camp-out for hours at a time and really buckle down!
- Exercise breaks are good breaks! For me, working out isn’t exactly my idea of a fun time. But getting your blood flowing on the treadmill or elliptical does wonders for one’s mood and energy levels. When you are making your studying schedule, try and plan in at least an hour of exercise, where you can blow off some steam. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, and that will be exactly what you need while trying to study for all your exams!
- Pack a snack This tip is essential for me, as I always like to have something to munch, sip, or chew on while I’m studying. Of course, the library has “Food for Thought” and the IMU has the River Room and convenience store, but U-billing all those snacks really adds up fast. I usually pack a bag of dry cereal, mixed nuts, or something sweet and salty like chocolate covered pretzels. Candy and really sugary items aren’t the best snacks for studying because they can make you jittery, so think healthy! If you need caffeine to keep you going, try tea instead of coffee or pop. If you absolutely need that fix of coffee or pop, drink it in moderation.
- Study with a group I find talking over the material with a group of people in your class is an extremely helpful way to study. Of course, you have to make sure everyone is actually studying and not talking about the latest drama or last night’s baseball game, but when everyone is on task, you can really learn from what others have to say about the class material. Don’t study with a group when you are first beginning to study for the exam, because then you won’t have much to add. Instead, look over much of the material, decide on the topics you are confused on, and ask others in your class to go over it when it’s closer to the test.
- Don’t forget sleep! Finals week for a lot of Iowa students consists of caffeine and all nighters. But scheduling in some shuteye is actually way more beneficial. You won’t walk around campus with huge bags under your eyes, and you’ll feel at your best when you are actually able to sleep. Going into an exam after an all-nighter will make you feel agitated and sleepy, and in turn you probably won’t produce your best work. It’s much better to plan out your studying so that you’ll be able to sleep seven or eight hours a night, because most of us don’t function so well on 2 or 3 hours of sleep.
When it comes to final exams, it’s easy to let your stress get the best of you. Just remember to plan ahead, eat right, exercise, schedule in sleep, and meet with a group, and you’ll be sure to improve your study habits. Of course, a little stress is good stress, so use that to your advantage and ace those exams!
Good luck!
What are your best study habits? How do you get through the dreaded “finals week?” Leave your tips and tricks in the comments below!