1) First, don’t freak yourself or stress out unnecessarily. Even if you fail every final, you still get to go home for a month, eat pie and recuperate. Joking aside, we all hope you don’t fail, but just know, it’ll be okay anyways. Odds are, if you actually give it your best effort, you won’t fail.
2) Prioritize. Make some to-do lists and a schedule for which day you will spend studying for each test. Knowing you have a plan and not succumbing to distractions is the key to conquering those exams.
3) Having someone to keep you accountable is a great way to stick to those goals you just laid out. A study buddy is the perfect way to achieve this. Don’t be too shy to start a study group or even a one-on-one review sesh with the smartest (or hottest) kid in your class. Talking about what you are learning out loud will help you recall the information easier.
4) “Dress for success” is a real thing. Not only will you feel more awake and focused in real clothes rather than your oldest sweats, but you will also feel more confident in your ability to tackle that stack of textbooks. Additionally, if you do fail, at least you can look good doing it.
5) Remember why you’re here. You want to be the best version of yourself, and this means hard work. Reminding yourself that these classes serve as the foundation for your future successes, and more importantly, your awesome future self, puts the seemingly pointless 20-page paper on a poem much less gruesome. You’re not doing all this work for your professors; you’re doing it for you!
6) If the above tip doesn’t work, just assume your alter ego. Maybe you don’t feel well equipped enough to tackle thirteen PowerPoint slides of chemistry notes, but (fill in your superstar idol here) is perfect for the job. After all, would flawless Beyoncé ever give up or admit she couldn’t do something?
7) Reward yourself. Let yourself open that box of chocolates after a couple hours of hard studying. Stuff your face with poutine after your first hard exam. You work hard, and you deserve it.
8) Study efficiently. Can’t find the answer in your 1500 page textbook? Google it. Odds are, the answer is on the Internet. Although Wikipedia may not be your best source for citations, you can use other sources to at least figure out the type of answer you are looking for and then return to your text book with a better idea of which topics the answer will be near.
9) If you still aren’t feeling confident or capable, remember this: you were accepted to Case Western Reserve University, a school recognized for its academic rigor and intellectual vigor. You were selected as a student who is not only capable, but meets the expectations and standards of our reputable university. Just the fact that you’ve gotten this far shows how capable you truly are. Embrace the case stereotype, embrace your inner nerd, and remember that you’re a total genius who is definitely going to dominate finals week.
10) Now that you have been kindly reminded of how great and smart you are as a Case Western Reserve University student, never forget. Acknowledge your strengths, even brag. You have certainly learned an immense amount over the course of this fall semester, and it is important to remember that (and of course, remember everything you have learned). A little honest pride in your work keeps you passionate about what you’re learning and brings the necessary confidence when it comes time to take that cumulative final exam.
You’re welcome.