Exams are coming up (in case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t noticed). In order to prevent cram overload and take a break—and yes, you need to take a break sometime, no matter how worried you are about your exams—here’s a couple fun Elon events and some tips.
Cookie Walk
How can you hate something called Cookie Walk? It’s impossible. And it’s just what it sounds like: show up with two cans or $2 and get all the homemade cookies, brownies and cake you can pile on your plate. Methodist Fellowship holds the event on Reading Day each exam session, both winter and spring, and this year it’s May 11.
“Cookie walk is such a great study break,” said sophomore Elaina Kalyvas, who has gone twice before. “It’s a nice time to take off and enjoy the company of friends and eat tasty cookies!”
This time Cookie Walk lasts from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in McKinnon in Moseley. All proceeds go to Loaves and Fishes—you can help the community while stuffing your face! And since it’s exam period, you’re allowed to eat whatever you want (it’s an unspoken rule). Visit the Facebook page to sign up and be reminded to take a break and go pick up delicious homemade food!
Cram Jam
Cram Jam, another of Elon’s Reading Day staples, is taking place May 11 from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. in Harden dining hall. The event is sponsored by the Student Union Board (SUB) and will have live music, breakfast food served by your favorite professors and fun crafts events like Spin Art shutter shades (like the ones Kanye used to wear, but with paint), photo key chains and make your own street signs. You can even sign up for massages in Moseley 207—go now to get a spot!
Added bonus: All of this is completely free.
“We usually have a great turnout,” said junior Lauren Townsend, who is a member of SUB. “It’s a great opportunity to take a break from studying and relax before exams start.”
So when you’re still up at midnight on reading day, take this opportunity to go get free food and have some fun before hitting the books again.
Tips for relaxing
Can’t make either of these events? Make sure to take a breather on your own. It’s physically impossible to study 24/7 and if you study too much, you may reach the point of no return where you actually start forgetting things. I know you’re worried about exams—trust me, so am I!—but you still need to relax and have fun.
Make sure to study in advance. Cramming everything in at the last moment is NOT the most efficient way to study, and as the Queen of Procrastination, I have plenty of experience with this. Start to study in advance—this will let you get your sleep, which will help you do better and will make you stress less in the long run. When you’re confident you know what you’re doing instead of freaking out that you forgot something, you’re more likely to succeed.
On that note, SLEEP. You’ll do better on the test if you’re well-rested. Caffeine is no substitute for real rest, and your grade will benefit if you’re actually awake for the test and not falling asleep on it instead. If you do choose to go out on reading day eve and you have an exam Thursday, have fun but don’t drink too much! You’ll sleep better and study more effectively without a raging hangover. Also, getting more sleep will help your immune system—no one wants to be sick during exams.
Take some fun study breaks. Hold a dance party and watch the latest Lonely Island video. Read every Her Campus article you can find. Call your best friend and have a chat. Whatever you choose to do, don’t just study the whole time. Make sure you still have some fun moments—they’ll help keep you sane when it’s 4 a.m. and you haven’t moved from your spot for 12 hours straight.
Whatever you choose to do before and during exam time, don’t forget that, in the end, it’s just another test. Study hard, do your best, but if you don’t get an A+, it’s not the end of the world. Keep it in perspective (which is asking a lot, I know. But do your best!).
Good luck with exams and have a spectacular summer!