By now, it’s almost May, which means that finals are looming over your head. You’ve probably uttered the phrase “I don’t think I can make it through the rest of the semester” at some point in the last few weeks. With exams, papers, and presentations, the rest of the semester may seem impossible, but here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure you do your best and stay in good shape!
Make the work manageable.
Yes, you’ve probably heard of this before. Don’t save all of your work for the night before. As a big procrastinator, I’m always guilty of this one, and then I end up hating my past self for not getting a head start on things. Break up assignments and studying into manageable sections that you can tackle over a period of time.
Find a study place that works for you.
If you know that you get distracted by others, maybe studying with friends isn’t the best idea. On the other hand, maybe having company keeps you motivated. Whatever your work habits are, make sure to find an environment that will actually be conducive to learning. Check out the library (which will be packed, so don’t wait until the last minute to get working!), student lounges across campus, and quiet study rooms. Piano Row has a great quiet room on the second floor that I highly recommend for getting work done.
Disconnect while you’re working.
I get easily distracted, especially while I’m studying. Put your phone on do not disturb or airplane mode (or turn it off completely!), disconnect from the internet on your laptop if you don’t need it, and work! There’s a lot of browser extensions and phone apps that are designed to increase productivity by making sure you stay on task. Try StayFocusd on Google Chrome to make sure you don’t waste your time on addicting websites.
Do your best work.
You’ll feel so much better later if you actually put effort into your finals, even though it may seem impossible because you just want the semester to be over. If you’re writing a paper, give yourself enough time to finish it, and then spend time away from it so you can edit it with a clear head before you turn it in. If you’re doing a presentation, make sure you know what you’re talking about and have time to practice. Your grades will thank you.
Sleep!
We all know how sleep-deprived students can get during finals week. Maybe you ended up procrastinating and had to pull all-nighters to get your work done or study. Sleep will be your best friend during these hard times. At some point, you have to just accept that you either know it or you don’t, and that studying at 4 A.M. while your eyes are half-open is probably not going to do anything. Stay healthy, take care of yourself, and remember that you’re in the final stretch!