As the semester creeps to an end, most college students are daydreaming about relaxing at home and escaping the dining hall food. But no one can relax just yet. Finals are still quickly approaching for every college student across the country and campuses are gearing up for the type of chaos that somehow makes midterms season feel easy in comparison. From the exam that is make-or-break for your final grade to the 20-page research paper you’ve been putting off all semester, these are the moments that mark the last (and hardest) stretch of the semester. And, it’s the one thing between you and your much-needed winter break.
Speaking from experience, the first finals week is the scariest, and it’s the moment most freshmen dread all semester long. Luckily, you’re not alone! Every college student who has come before you has gone through finals week, and we’ve all lived through the good, the bad, and the ugly of it.
Whether you’re trapped in the library trying to study for your last exam, coordinating group projects with people who won’t respond, or just trying to remember what getting eight hours of sleep feels like, this week can push even the best students to their limit. Still, there are ways to stay sane and even find moments of calm in all the chaos.
Below, seven college students from across the country share their best advice for freshmen going through their first finals season. From self-care ideas to final exam performance tips, they give all their wisdom to help you.
DeAhnna Brown, Senior at Northwestern University
“Spread out your studying! Cramming and all-nighters never work! Find a group that you can study with and actually be productive! Studying with friends can be fun, but if it isn’t productive, don’t hesitate to schedule time alone! Don’t deprive yourself of food! Avoid comparing your answers at the end of exams (even with your closest friends)! The exam likely isn’t graded yet, and most of the time, that leads to spiraling thoughts along with unnecessary stress.”
Logan Fry, Senior at Ball State University
“Take a breath, pace yourself, and trust what you’ve learned. Break studying into small chunks, sleep more than you think you should, and don’t forget to eat real food. You’ve made it this far, finals are just the last step. You’ve got this!”
Grace Khan, Junior at Merrimack College
“My best piece of advice would be definitely to keep a planner or a Google calendar to schedule all of your finals in!”
Makalah Wright, Senior at University of West Georgia
“Finals season can come with a lot of pressure and fear of failure, but I like to remind those close to me to try their best and to not give up on themselves. It’s also best to reach out for help if you are struggling with anxiety and or any other mental health issue — this always comes first. Think about it, you spent a whole semester working your butt off, and now it’s about to really pay off, so show up and give it all you got!”
Maia Hull, Senior at University of California Los Angeles
“My advice would be to remember that adjusting to college your freshman year is rough and that it’s so normal for it to take some time to get into the swing of things. Just put it behind you and focus on next semester! You can’t change the past but you can change your habits moving forward, and learn the best study methods for you!”
E.V. Beyers, Sophomore at University of Missouri – Columbia
“I had a really rough final my freshman year and I remember telling myself: ‘C’s get degrees.’ The other big thing I remind myself is that tests are only one moment in time. You take a class for a semester but your test is only one hour on one day, so even if it doesn’t go well, I remember that it doesn’t represent all the weeks and months of effort I put in. Ultimately, the test is not a reflection of me during the whole semester; it is only a reflection of me in that moment.”
Sophie Blake, Senior at Carleton University
“The best piece of advice I have for freshman students after a rough finals season is to remember that everything happens for a reason! It’s so simple and lowkey cringe, but anytime something doesn’t go as I planned, is harder than I thought it’d be, or is more tiring and mentally exhausting than I imagined, I remind myself that it only will only help make me a better student and stronger person, and it all happened for that reason! You’ll likely get through it easier next time. Plus, you won’t remember a bad grade in a few years anyways; it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of your life!”