How to Get Through the Finals Slump

Thanksgiving break is over and now we are back at school, but my mind is lagging. These are probably the three hardest weeks of the year for us Cal Poly students, so I created a list of advice to try and make this time a little bit less scary. 

1. Find a new coffee shop to work at.

There are lots in SLO and nearby towns! Find one you like and continue to work there consistently, or go to a new one each time you study! A change of environment could be nice. My personal favorites are Nautical Bean in SLO and Kraken Coffee in Avila, but there are plenty of others including Dark Horse Espresso and Cafe, Lucy’s, Scout, and more. 

2. Make a new study playlist.

My favorite study music is jazz or classical, and I usually have a go-to playlist, but whenever I am in a slump I like to make a new one to use throughout the weeks before finals. Here’s a link to my most recent one if you need inspiration. :’)

3. Participate in group study sessions with friends or roommates!

Studying alone is nice most of the time, but it is also good to work with people to feel less alone in this anxiety-ridden time. Plus, studying with people who are in the same class or major is helpful anyway!

4. Look into doing one thing for yourself a day.

Amid the stress and panic of school, we forget that the most important thing to do is take care of ourselves. Each day, try to do one nice thing for yourself, whether that be getting a coffee or a sweet treat, meditating for 20 minutes, taking a nap, or journaling for a bit before bed. Your body and your mind will thank you.

5. Find places to work on campus.

Without Kennedy Library, it has become particularly difficult to find good study locations on campus, but they’re still there! My favorite spot is on the grass lawn across from the Aglish building. There’s also plenty of space on Dexter and in/outside of the UU. If it’s colder outside, the new Frost building also has spaces to sit and work in.

6. Get in the sun!

Whenever I’m in an especially bad mood or feel a bit more stressed than usual, I tend to just become a ball of anxiety inside my home, staring at my computer. The best thing you can do for yourself is boost your dopamine levels by literally just going outside. Sit in the sun for ten minutes and you will see that it can genuinely alter your mood.

7. Do not procrastinate.

I know this is harder than it sounds. But don’t procrastinate! Try really, really hard not to. It’s easy to fall into the mindset that finals are still two whole weeks away, so you’ll just study later. Trust me when I say you need to start studying now. Studying for each of your classes even just an hour a day will relieve so much anxiety in the long run. You will likely be able to get more sleep, feel less stressed, and possibly even get a better grade on your exams. 

8. Get an agenda to break things down.

This is honestly one of the most helpful tips for me. Being able to see exactly what I have to do throughout the weeks leading up to finals is a life-saver because it makes it less scary. Take it one day at a time. 

9. Rewrite your notes.

I gotta be honest, I only do this sometimes depending on the subject and how much writing I have to do. It is helpful though. The classes where I end up learning the best are where the professors do not allow computers to type your notes, so you are forced to hand-write them. I think it has definitely helped with my memorization instead of just staring at my computer screen.  

10. Remind yourself that you will get through it.

It will be okay! As difficult as this time of year is, you have to try and remember it will be over soon. I think the season changing and the sun now setting at five p.m. all while finals are also happening creates a lot of bad feelings, so positive affirmations are important. Write yourself a positive little note on the bathroom mirror, relax your shoulders and your jaw, and breathe. Everything will work out. 

• advice
• college
• finals week
• stress