Finals can be one of the most stressful times of the year, if not the most stressful time of the year. It’s hard to try and get over the hump of not wanting to study or type a paper that’s due in a week. The following advice is made by someone who has been through three and a half years of exams, papers, struggles and most certainly procrastinating. To make the best of your finals week and the time leading up to finals week, these five tips are super helpful in trying to thrive during this stressful time.
- Take one day at a time: Don’t overwhelm yourself with studying for multiple different things at the same time. Stay calm and have a game plan for each day and how you are going to tackle your studies. Maybe set a certain amount of time aside for studying, then set an amount of page numbers you’re going to type for a paper that day. Then, wait until the next day and repeat.
- Check and double-check when papers are due and when your exams are: This tip always helped me so I could map out my days (while using Tip #1). You’ll obviously want to work on papers and exams that are due first.
- Leave more than a week before your exam/due date to study or do the assignment: Sure, a week is a long time. However, if you don’t want to be pulling your hair out with stress, give yourself ample time to get a good start on your papers and studying.
- SLEEP: If you follow the first three tips, sleep should not be an issue. But, since putting off an assignment/studying to go to the Zig is a real thing (yes, I’m guilty of this also), make sure you are giving yourself enough time to sleep so you don’t stress yourself out even more. Sleep will help you feel refreshed enough for you to get up and study, rather than sleep in and put it off even longer.
- Lay off the fast foods, please: Yes, they are easier than cooking, and yes, it tastes better than MDR; but you will end up feeling worse if you eat numerous amounts of fast food because you don’t have time to cook or don’t want MDR. Cooking healthier food or eating healthier options in the MDR will help to boost your energy and not make you feel like you’re about to birth a Taco Bell baby.
I am not expert, but during my time here at Cap, I have lived and learned to see the benefit of these tips that I still follow when it comes down to the crunch-time of exams. It is easier said than done, but these tips will benefit you and your grades if followed.
