Edited by Sanvi Rawat
Step 1: Accept the Chaos
The first rule of finals week? Accept that it’s going to be messy. Your room will look like a cyclone of flashcards and snack wrappers, and that’s okay. Procrastination happens to the best of us—yes, even the overachievers who claim they’re “so behind” but already have color-coded and organized everything.
So instead of spiraling, grab a notebook, make a list, and tackle one thing at a time. Start with the easy stuff—like rewriting your to-do list in neat handwriting—and build momentum from there. Trust me, crossing things off is wildly therapeutic.
Step 2: Befriend Your Study Spot
Every Ashokan knows about the finals week’s pilgrimage to the library. But if the quiet hum of intense concentration stresses you out, find your personal oasis. Chai 24/7 is perfect for sipping on kulhad chai while pretending you’re “working on that paper” (even if you’re just people-watching). Or head to the fuel zone for a quick caffeine boost—it’s practically the finals fuel station at this point.
Pro tip: Switch up your environment. Start in your dorm, move to the library, then wind down with some light reading at the libcaf.. You’ll feel oddly productive, even if you’ve just been relocating your stress.
Step 3: Master the Art of Strategic Studying
Picture this: the semester started strong. Your planner was full, your notes were organized, and you even read ahead once. Fast forward to now, and suddenly, finals week has ambushed you like an unannounced pop quiz.
Let’s face it: you’re not learning everything in one night, no matter how many espressos you drink. The secret to finals survival is working smarter, not harder. Focus on the greatest hits of your syllabus—the topics your professor wouldn’t stop mentioning.
Use active recall techniques: cover your notes, quiz yourself, and say things out loud (yes, your roommate will think you’ve lost it). If you’re running out of time, summaries are your best friend. Better a decent understanding of the big picture than getting lost in the weeds of page 67’s footnotes.
Step 4: Snack Wisely, Caffeinate Strategically
Let’s talk sustenance. Finals week turns food outlets into ground zero for caffeine enthusiasts. Coffee sales skyrocket, and you’re either in line for your third Americano or eyeing someone else’s double shot espresso in their shaker with envy.
While coffee may feel like the answer to everything, don’t skip actual food. Nuts, fruit, or even a simple plate of maggi can give your brain the energy it needs. Hydration matters too—water won’t write your essays, but it will keep you from feeling like a wilted plant.
Step 5: Plan for (and Embrace) the Weird Hours
Finals week has its own warped sense of time. You’ll start studying at 10 PM, blink, and suddenly it’s 3 AM. Your brain will swing between bursts of clarity (“Oh, I get it now!”) and moments of existential dread (“Do I even need a degree?”).
If you’re pulling a late night, pace yourself. Set a timer to take breaks and stretch. And when delirium strikes, it’s okay to step away—go for a short walk or do a little dorm-room yoga. Just avoid the black hole of scrolling through memes about finals.
Step 6: Sleep Is Not for the Weak
Repeat after me: all-nighters are not heroic. Sure, they sound dramatic, but nothing derails a study session faster than nodding off on your laptop. Even a short nap can do wonders for your memory and focus.
If you really can’t sleep, at least rest your eyes for a bit.
Step 7: Celebrate the Small Wins
Surviving finals isn’t just about acing exams—it’s about those little victories along the way. Like finally understanding that one impossible concept or making it through a study session without getting distracted by YouTube. Reward yourself!
Wrap up your study day with your favorite comfort food, or grab a cup of chai with friends who are equally exhausted. After all, shared suffering is the best bonding experience.
The Final Stretch
When the last paper is submitted or the final exam is done, the feeling is euphoric–don’t forget to celebrate.Go ahead and treat yourself to a celebration meal—perhaps a comforting plate of momos or a hot chocolate to commemorate your survival.
And here’s the truth: no matter how chaotic finals feel, you’ve been through them before, and you’ll get through them again. Ashoka’s campus may feel like a pressure cooker right now, but it’s also home to your resilience, grit, and a caffeine-fueled community rooting for your success.
Now go forth, power through, and remember: you’ve got this. (And if you don’t, there’s always next semester- not if it’s your 6th/8th though.)