While some find the holiday season to be the “most wonderful time of the year,” many of us know it only brings us misery and stress. As finals week approaches, college students are bombarded with final papers, projects, and exams. Though it may seem impossible to get through this time with a clear head, there are many steps you can take to help ease your stress. It’s time to put the Netflix binging on hold and get down to business!
Here are ten tips to help you get through the final stretch.
1. Find out all of your assignment due dates and exam dates.
The first step to getting through the end of the semester alive is by staying organized. Make sure you gather all of your dates before you begin anything else.
2. Buy yourself a planner (if you don’t already have one!)
The first thing you need to do is write down all of the due dates for your upcoming assignments and the dates of your final exams. If you follow this first simple step, you are less likely to forget what you have to do. It will also feel great to cross things off your list!
3. Create study guides.
After your professor lets you know what the test will be on, make sure to create study guides that you can read through when you are studying. Be mindful of material that is not on your study guide—you should study those topics, too!
4. Highlight the most important topics on your study guide.
Highlighting the most important topics will remind you to go back and spend more time on them.
5. Get the proper amount of sleep.
Though pulling all-nighters may be tempting, not getting the proper amount of sleep can be detrimental to you as well as your grades. Lack of sleep can cause you to get sick which is the last thing you need during finals week!
6. Start studying ahead of schedule.
If you know you have a lot of deadlines and exams approaching, start studying earlier to avoid cramming the night before. If you follow this step, you will feel well-prepared for your exams instead of stressed out!
7. Create a study schedule to follow.
If you evenly prioritize your study time for each exam, you will avoid feeling too overwhelmed from wondering when you will have the time to complete everything.
8. Quiz yourself.
Turn the material into questions so you can familiarize yourself with the type of experience you will have during the exam.
9. Stay off social media.
Many of us tend to get easily distracted by our phones. The convenience of having all of our social media platforms in the palm of our hands can distract us from getting our work done. Convince yourself to get things done before checking your Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. Deleting these apps temporarily will go a long way!
10. Eat well.
Don’t let your stress cause you to eat poorly. Your body needs the proper nutrition to perform its best, especially during busy, stressful times.
If you follow these ten tips, you should be able to achieve those grades you are hoping for. Remember to stay positive and try your best, too!