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This week we’re sharing our feelings and tips for surviving finals season — that dreaded short time between spring semester and the freedom of summer!
I prioritize my exams. I study less for classes I have high grades in and know I can pass rather easily and focus much more attention on the class or two where I struggle more. I don’t like studying with others distracting me, so I take a hot bath, find some comfy pajamas and spend every evening of the week before and of finals with flash cards, class notes, outlines and textbooks.
– Daylina Miller, Campus Correspondent, University of South Florida
During finals I give myself permission to change my exercise habits. Now, this isn’t to say that I skip the gym and stuff myself with carbs and sugar, but instead, I will workout in ways that allow me to study at the same time. This means I’ll go on walks with my study guides, go through flashcards while walking (I repeat: WALKING) on the treadmill, and taking frequent bathroom breaks just to stretch my legs.
- Dylan McCann, Catwalk to Campus Blogger, The College of William and Mary
The fear of failure keeps me motivated. Finals make me realize it’s my last chance to score an A in a class and raise my GPA. I drink lots of coffee, stay up a little later, head to the library more often, and sadly, turn down the majority of social events.
- Alexa Johnson, Campus Correspondent, James Madison University
I hole up in my living room, sit at the table, and eat air popped popcorn to give me something to do besides study.
– Colette Maddock, Campus Correspondent, University of Montana
Everything changes during finals and study week. All the structure of classes and habits and routine goes out the window and you are the only thing keeping yourself on track. Rather than someone else saying that you have to be in this place at this time to learn, it is all on you to make sure you make time for the library and study groups and such. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you have friends who decide “study period” = “party period”. But everyone also has friends who are complete library rats, so the key during finals is to bake those friends cookies and never leave their side.
- Alyssa Conti, Campus Writer, Tulane University
My best tip for finals is to make a study guide, which sounds obvious but so many people choose not to do it! It takes a long time, but it is so helpful when it comes down to actually studying. I go through all of the readings, old homework assignments, past tests and quizzes, and compile all of it together into one document to study from based on what the professor has told us will be on the test.
- Allie Duncan, Contributing Writer, University of Missouri
I make one of my close friends change my Facebook password. That way, I have absolutely no way of logging in! It forces me to study. For added motivation, I go to the library; seeing everyone else studying makes me focus on my studies as well, and I’m less likely to get distracted if I’m not in my apartment.
– Laura Baugh, Campus Correspondent, Virginia Tech
I’m a really good at multitasking, so I watch episodes of TV shows that I’ve already seen while making flashcards — that way although I’m not that interested in what I’m watching, finals don’t feel as intense at the same time. I’ll reward myself by planning a fun night out or girls night in for after exams so that I have something to look forward to!
- Nikki Williams, Campus Correspondent, University of Michigan
I definitely reward myself with nice dinners with friends who are going through the same chaos of finals week. I also love going to the gym for study breaks, perhaps to sweat the stress away. You can kill two birds with one stone: get fit and finish last week’s issue of the New Yorker!
– Haruka Aoki, Campus Correspondent, Brown University
I usually become really obsessed with studying during finals week so I actually have to make sure that I am getting enough rest and staying healthy. I could go all night and into the morning studying without taking a break and loading up on coffee to stay awake. I actually got really sick after finals last semester because my body was so out of whack. I slept for the first 3 days of my break! So this semester, whether it be a big exam or finals, I’ve been cutting my studying off after a certain amount of hours and eating healthy (nuts are a great snack that help you stay alert!). Studying isn’t productive if you aren’t allowing yourself to rest and relax.
– Alexandra Pannoni, Campus Correspondent, Towson University
Starbucks’ Caramel Frappuccino’s keep me motivated through finals! It’s the only way to survive such a week. Since I already head to bed late into the night, my sleeping patterns don’t change too much during finals week. However, I do try and keep a full pot of coffee ready for whenever I pop into the house in between finals and during study breaks.
- Kaitlyn Monteiro, Contributing Writer, Syracuse University
The most important part about finals week is to NOT CRAM! I know it’s tough to find the motivation to start studying for final exams 2-3 weeks ahead of time…but it seriously makes all the difference. It’s a million times less stressful reviewing material for an exam the night before, rather than trying to learn it. I motivate myself by studying in fun places like Starbucks or Panera. On the days when public places like cafes are too crowded, I study for a few hours and then reward myself with a favorite latte or snack. Unfortunately, finals week means spending far less time with my friends than usual. But, even so, most of us are just in stressed out study modes anyway. Usually after finals are over, my friends and I celebrate with a dinner out or something, before we all go our separate ways for break.
– Emily Grier, Contributing Writer, Penn State