As finals are upon us, I decided to impart some unconventional wisdom on things I do that help me study… or just get into the study mood. Now I’ll be honest, I don’t really have many final exams as my major is more “final project” aligned, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had my fair share of stressful weeks overloaded with work and exams. Some of these “hacks” may directly contradict what you are doing, but they’ve done wonders for me, so don’t knock it until you try it.
Listen to LOUD Music
I am most definitely not the work-in-silence type. I find myself procrastinating more when I don’t have music blasting in my ears or some sort of white noise going on than when I’m in a completely silent environment. I know some people can only work in silence, so this advice may not be your cup of tea. Music is my mental stimulant of choice, but not just any music: Loud music.
I’m not talking turn the volume all the way up, I’m talking bass boosted, dance anthem, borderline ridiculous music. I also recommend listening to stuff that you’re not completely familiar with, that way you won’t get distracted singing the lyrics. Recent favs of mine have been Slayyter’s new “Worst Girl In America” album and RuPaul’s “Foxy Lady.” This music keeps me awake and alert, and when I’m starting to get tired of studying, RuPaul will call out “you better work, b***h!” and then I get right back to the grind.
Leave Campus!
I love Friedsam Library and Cafe La Verna as much as the next person at St. Bonaventure, but recently I have reached next-level procrastination that even when I’m in those places, I’ll end up scrolling on my phone instead, or just packing it in early because I can just walk back to my room and be more comfortable (aka take a nap instead).
If I physically drive off campus to a cafe, or another library, I convince myself that I went the extra length to remove myself from distractions (or spent $5 on a coffee just so I could sit in the café), so I have to lock in. Also, off-campus locations often close earlier than on-campus options. While this may be a turn off for some, I find this shorter time limit more motivating because I have less time to “fool around” and a more strict time frame for when my studying can get done.
Other People Must be Present
Just like how I can’t work in complete silence, I absolutely can not focus in complete solitude. Maybe this is “performative” of me, but I like knowing that people can see me studying and therefore they see me as a good student. If I’m alone, no one could be judging me for having all my work out and sitting on TikTok instead, but when I’m surrounded by people, I want to be perceived as a studious person, so I avoid slacking off on my studies more.
I’ve seen people on social media also try methods where they “compete” with strangers in the library when studying, challenging themselves to not stop studying until the other person finishes first. It’s like when you’re running next to someone on the treadmill at the gym, and you try to “beat them” by running for longer, even though this person doesn’t even know you or that you are practically racing them. It’s amazing what a competitive spirit will motivate you to achieve.
Composure is Key
By the time finals week comes around, I have reached my final state of “bum.” Sweatsuits and pajama pants are my bread and butter. My morning routine has been reduced to waking up an hour prior to do my makeup and hair, to rolling out of bed 15 minutes before class, washing my face, and calling it good. However, finals week is when it is more important than ever to leave that mindset behind and compose myself. If I’m only wearing my comfy clothes and putting no effort into my appearance, that just tells my brain I’m ready to hop back into bed and take a nap, not sit my butt at a desk and get work done for the next five hours.
So, before I put on my loud music and drive to my café of choice, I have to wake up and make myself presentable for the day. There’s nothing like a good “everything shower” at the beginning of the week to get myself in the mood for making progress on my to-do list. I do my best work when I’m dressed nicer, it’s like tricking my brain into thinking I’m in a professional environment that requires me to be in business casual and focused on my tasks.
Be “Delusional”
I can be a big daydreamer when I’m trying to focus on something I’m not particularly interested in at the moment. Put me next to a window in a morning class, and I’ll just be looking off into the distance for the remainder of the period. I try to focus on being more present in these moments, but sometimes I just can’t be bothered. However, when cram time comes around, I can’t be wasting those precious moments on dreaming about ordering Chinese food or planning a trip to the beach when the semester is over.
During the times when I can’t stop my mind from wandering, I instead try to take back the moment by purposely daydreaming about things related to my studies. I imagine myself acing an exam, or doing so well on a final project that the professor personally thanks me for my work. Sometimes I even go so far as to imagine I become some sort of “genius” in the subject I’m studying, and that I receive some prestigious award for my studies. It sounds like some deluded form of manifestation, but honestly, it keeps me in a motivated headspace, so when I regain my focus, I still feel compelled to learn.
Do NOT Skip That Night-before Cram
Guys, sleep is very important, but I’ve found that I always do the best on the exams when I stay up that extra hour, running over the study guides. In fact, you’d better skim that again in the morning before you get to the exam room. Building up knowledge over a longer period of time is important when it comes to retaining information long term and actually learning things, but when your grade is possibly on the line, that last-minute scramble can be the very thing that stands between you and that A+.
I often find things I overlooked in my more extensive studies while skimming right before I go into the testing room that end up being on the exam. Since you just read over your notes, the information is at the forefront of your mind and ready to be used; you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll remember it in a few days’ time, because you won’t have to. Of course, make sure to get some sleep in. I do not recommend pulling an all-nighter, but staying up an extra hour or two (or even waking up earlier than usual) to run things over one last time would benefit you more than it could hurt.
Most importantly: Stay Calm and Be Kind to Yourself
Yes, finals are very important. Sometimes, though, we can get too caught up in our heads about whether we’ll succeed or crash and burn. Even if you do absolutely end up bombing an exam, life moves on, and you will, too. Walk into that exam feeling the confidence in what you do know, and the peace of mind knowing that, once you get through this, summer break is just around the corner. Be proud that you made it this far; some people don’t, but you got it done.
Best of luck to you all!