I saw this picture the other day and I laughed. And then cried a little because it’s absolutely true. We have four weeks until finals (three, if you plan to do nothing over Thanksgiving break).
I saw an imaginary to-do list popping up in my head a mile long, and the hopelessness really started to set in. At first all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and do nothing at all. But then the inner-optimist inside of me thought, “Hey, four weeks is a LOT of time!” That’s 28 days, 672 hours, 40,320 minutes, and plenty of time to finish (or start) the work you’ve been putting off all semester. It’s not as hopeless as it seems. There is time to dig yourself out of the overwhelming procrastination hole you made for yourself and end the semester right.
STEP 1: Clean Up Your Work Space
A messy desk equals a messy mind. For the best studying experience possible, remove all gum wrappers, empty water bottles, and unnecessary papers. This can be an organized, much-needed cleaning event or you can just throw it all on the floor to worry about later. (No judgment if you choose the second option).
STEP 2: Disconnect From Distractions
Are you waiting on a life-changing text or are you just addicted to your phone? Tell me, do you really need your computer open to take handwritten notes from of a textbook? Study time should be for studying, think hard about those pesky electronics and put them away.
However sometimes it’s just too hard to leave your phone untouched for so long. For those times, consider setting a timer. Give yourself an hour of focus time, and then 10 minutes of free time. It also makes it much easier to study when you know it’s for a set period of time (rather than torturing yourself for hours while Facebook beckons).
STEP 3: Create an Action Plan
Planning is always a good thing. Your action plan can be whatever works for you. It can be a to-do list that you check off as you go, a weekly spreadsheet where you list different assignments to each day, or a monthly calendar with different subjects to study each day.
The point is, you need to make a S.M.A.R.T. goal. This applies for working out, weight loss, and it can even work for this too. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. That’s it, plan making made easy.
STEP 4: Have Realistic Expectations
Sometimes, you’re going to fail. There’s going to be those days that you don’t want to do anything but watch Netflix and eat chocolate. There’s going to be that first Saturday of Thanksgiving break where you will NOT begin that paper like you said you would.
Don’t let that little cloud rain on your productivity parade.
STEP 6: Don’t Be Too Hard on your Body.
Your body doesn’t ask for much. Sleeping seven-eight hours of sleep a night, eating three meals a day, and drinking 64 ounces of water a day isn’t that difficult. And it’ll certainly pay off big-time when you’ve got the energy to think clearly and work hard.
There’s about a thousand other tips I can give about taking care of yourself, taking notes, taking naps, taking breaks, taking your time to do things well, taking a moment for perspective, taking the time to go to class, etc. etc.
STEP 6: You Can (Almost) Always Get Back on the Bandwagon!
I mean, an hour before the test? No. But you’ve got four weeks. If you slip up one day, just make tomorrow count a little bit more. The worst thing you could possibly do at this point is just give up.
But if there’s one thing that is most important to finish with, it’s this:
Give your mind a chance to soak in what it’s learning, rather than cramming it all in.
Give your body a break, and don’t OD on caffeine or pull multiple all-nighters.
Give your teachers time to answer all your questions, and don’t email bomb them the night before the final.
Give your family and/or friends some quality time together this Thanksgiving break.
Give more of yourself. Because, in perspective, finals are scary, and definitely cringe-worthy. But finals come and go and you’ll get your diploma and wonder what all the fuss was about. So don’t get so wrapped up in the small things, you’ve got to live with your body, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your peers for longer than just the next four weeks.