Freshman’s First Finals Week: Helpful Tips For the Newbies

Finals are here and for most of us freshman, myself included, with this comes the onset of the major stress and panic that is synonymous with finals week. People need to realize is that we are no longer in high school; gone are the days of study guides and weeks of review before final exams. You are officially on your own this time so get with the program and get yourself together. Contrary to popular belief it is actually possible to get through finals week without mental breakdowns and the use of the college students #1 aid: Adderall-so stop the partying and pay attention to these helpful studying tips!
 
1.     Rule #1 is all about preparation! Like I said earlier, this is not high school anymore YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN NOW. Gone are the days of statewide tests as finals that only require a passing grade that counts as a small percentage of your final grade for the class. Welcome to college where finals count for as much of your grade as your professor decides …YAY! Since so much of your grade can be based on this one dreadful test it is crucial to be prepared and start your studying early- the “dead week” policy here at IU is supposed to prevent teachers from assigning heavy loads of work the week before finals so take advantage of this and get a head start on your studying.
2.     The big dilemma: To Party or to Study? Many of us freshman get so wrapped up in the partying lifestyle that comes with the college life. Yes, many of us are able to balance our education and the nightlife here at IU under normal circumstances but finals week is far from a normal week. It may be the last week of the semester but put off the partying because the satisfaction of success on all of your finals is totally worth it! You may be missing the “ZETA BETA Mistle TAU” holiday themed party but you have the next 3 years to party so focus on the priorities in your life and the S’s of finals week: STAYING SOBER AND STUDYING!
3.     Stressing over dates of finals is a waste of time! Yes we know, the earlier your finals are done the earlier you can pack up your dorm room and head home for the holidays. Many of us are eager to see friends and family but keep in mind, regardless of when you leave you still have a good three weeks to enjoy yourself over winter break. Finite students: I feel your pain why must our hardest final be on the LAST possible day of finals week? It doesn’t matter why, that’s the way it is and there’s nothing you can do so stop thinking about all of your friends being home before you because it will just add to the already excessive amount of stress you are feeling.
4.     The dreadful act of studying- we all hate it and we all really don’t know what the hell we are doing when it comes to studying but were in college now and its time to learn! The most important part of studying is having a quiet peaceful environment that allows you to focus. Basically, THE LIBRARY IS YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND. If you manage your time and plan out your studying at the library you can set specific times to do your work and set other times to be in your dorm and relax. Separating your studying time from your relaxing time is something that will also help you to detach yourself from the stress of finals week which will majorly reduce the anxiety of finals week. Everyone learns in different ways but find out what works best for you- weather its flashcards, making study guides, or anything else you can think of. Once you have your best personal method of studying figured out you can better prepare yourself for each exam!
 
Now that you have a few helpful tips to get you through finals week hopefully it won’t feel as overwhelming as you have imagined. We all dread this time of year, but this is just 1 week. There are 41 other weeks in the year to enjoy yourself so crack down, study hard, and make the most of the time you have to study.  And one last tip to get you through this week of hell- you have 3 weeks of vacation to look forward to with no classes, no work, and no stress! Best of luck to all of my fellow Hoosiers!