The end of the semester, although very exciting, can be one of the most stressful times of the year. The anticipation of wanting to go back home to relax and enjoy our holidays combined with the pressure and anxiety of having to do well in all our finals is not something we look forward to. Below are six of my best study tips to help you perform successfully in your finals, while also prioritizing your physical and mental health.
- Creating a weekly schedule
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Not many students understand how important it is to have an organized schedule instead of piling up your days with unorganized work. It is very beneficial to break down all you have to do every week so that you are allowing yourself to rest and not overcrowd the number of things that need to be done. It is a great way to avoid last-minute pressure when studying and handing in projects.
- Prioritizing study breaks
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Studying for five to eight hours straight is not ideal for you or your brain. To be that concentrated for so long without any breaks can be very mentally draining which takes away the whole point of studying. Try creating some sort of system where you study for one hour and then take a ten-minute break, for example.
- Snacking while studying
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Whether it be stress eating or hunger eating, it is always a good idea to have a snack around when studying. Not only can this make you less stressed, but you are also constantly providing your body with more energy, which lengthens how soon you might start becoming tired and sleepy. Sometimes, people fail to realize the correlation between food and energy, especially during finals season. You need to take care of your physical health in order to be able to perform well in your studies. Without any energy, you will not take in what you are studying and it can become even more difficult to concentrate and work efficiently.
- Making Quizlets
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Quizlet is a free online website where you can manually create and study as many flashcards and quizzes as you want with any terms or concepts to help you study. Not only is it very easy to use and an entertaining way to study, but it is very effective for memorizing things quicker and perfecting concepts you are struggling with the most.
- Hand-written notes versus computer notes
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Although the world is now grateful for Google Docs, hand-writing your notes can help you retain the knowledge better and faster than using your computer.
- Studying in bed
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This may be an unpopular opinion, but studying in bed is comfortable and can sometimes be even more concentrating. If your body is comfortable, you can spend more time in a focused position, whether that be to work on an assignment or study for a final. You also get to experience a different environment and setting rather than always sitting at a desk. Although sitting in bed is more difficult when handwriting your notes, if you are working on your computer, it is a cozy way to get things done.
Try to make the most of this year’s finals season and start prioritizing your physical and mental health. Follow these six tips in order to perform strongly in your exams while also staying healthy. Good luck!