The first snowfalls of the season are blanketing the streets of Pittsburgh, the smell of Peppermint Mochas are filling the air at Starbucks, and the look of sheer terror and panic are slowly starting to be written on the faces of all college students. Yeah, it’s THAT time of year….
Finals week is approaching just as quickly as students’ stress levels are rising. This is the point of the semester when many students look back on the semester and start asking: what if? What if I attended that event to get extra credit? What if I studied a few extra hours instead of watching Keeping up with the Kardashians? What if I actually went to class instead of sleeping in? We can’t change what we did or didn’t do, so forget the what if’s and focus on the task at hand: surviving finals week. Take note of these five tips and you’ll be sure to pass your exams with flying colors and minimal stress!
1. Start studying now!
The sooner you start studying, the better. I find that studying a few weeks before my actual final gives me enough time to retain the information. Starting a few weeks earlier will also give you plenty of time to contact professors with any questions you may have, and that extra time will allow you to split the information up more efficiently. Also, try to set goals for yourself. The goals can be as big as having a few chapters reread and reviewed by a specific date, or as small as having a certain concept understood by the end of the day.
2. Refuse to cram!
Let’s talk about the other side of the studying spectrum for a moment; we’re all guilty of cramming for a test the night before, but unfortunately, committing this academic crime will definitely not help when it comes to finals. Whether your exam is on a single chapter or is cumulative, cramming for the exam will not allow you enough time to preserve the information. Think about it this way: your purse can only hold so many lipsticks at one time, right? If you try to add more lipsticks than the purse can hold, your bag will start to eventually spill over. What a mess that would be!
3. Take a break!
This tip is directed to all you bookworms! Believe it or not, studying 24/7 is just as bad as cramming. When it comes to excessively studying, you may understand the information now, but when you take the exam you will start to second guess yourself. Make sure to take a pause when you’re studying and go to the gym for a workout, watch a funny movie with some friends, do some online retail therapy, or browse through Her Campus!
4. Eat some breakfast!
We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For this reason, it is essential that you have a decent breakfast before heading off to take your finals. The food will fuel your body and mind so you are focused for your exam, plus you don’t want to be that awkward girl with a growling stomach in the middle of a test! Not sure what to choose for breakfast? Combine your favorite grains, dairy, and fruit- the perfect brain food.
5. Take a deep breath!
This simple technique is actually more effective than you’d think. According to the LIVESTRONG website, slow and mindful breaths activate all kinds of crazy things in your brain and nervous system that stop stress-producing hormones and trigger relaxation in your body. Relieve some of your exam anxieties by closing your eyes and breathing deeply in and out, reminding yourself that you got this!