I think we can all agree that finals week is one of the most dreaded and stressful times for college students. Certainly, we are all feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point in the semester, but luckily, summer is just around the corner (finally)!! Here are some tips to conquer your finals week and end the semester off strong.
- Spend time away from your phone
-
I know that this one is kind of a given, but spending time away from screens can be more difficult than you think (especially during finals season). I recommend putting your phone far away from your study space so that you’re not tempted to use it. If you need a little bit more than that to keep you from checking your notifications (I know I do), I recommend downloading a productivity app! I have found a lot of success using the app Flipd, which tracks your total time studying and automatically stops the timer if you exit the app!
- Have snacks and water on hand
-
If you’re like me, you will take any excuse to step away from your desk, including a snack break! I recommend keeping plenty of snacks and water nearby so that you avoid stepping away from what you’re studying. Plus, this ensures that you will always be properly fueled to power through that study sesh- a win-win!
- Study in advance
-
I know that this is easier said than done, but I have found that studying in advance really helps me do my very best on exams! Not only am I able to retain much more information, but it also helps control my stress levels because I am not cramming the night before. I have found that this really helps especially for STEM classes where there is a lot of material to cover.
- Create a study schedule
-
Maybe this is just because I am very Type A, but I love making study schedules because it ensures that I am able to fit in all that I need to study and am not accidentally leaving myself to study half the material the night before the exam. It also makes it very easy to keep me accountable for my studying, since I have a study plan to follow. Highly recommend!
- Remember why you’re doing this
-
Sometimes with all of the stress that comes with finals week, it can be difficult to remember why you started your college journey. Think about your goals, whether it’s landing your dream job or improving your GPA for the semester, finishing this semester is one step closer to your end goal!
- Take care of yourself
-
Finals week is without a doubt a stressful time for college students, so it is important to make sure that you are taking time for yourself too! One of the easiest ways to do this is to make sure that you are getting enough sleep (one of my favorite forms of self-care), but you can also go on walks, exercise, or treat yourself with your favorite coffee.
- Believe in yourself!
-
Take a deep breath. You’ve come this far and it is not time to give up! Think about all of the hard work that you have put in this semester and how much you have learned; all of these moments have already prepared you for your exams. You’re going to crush it!
Hopefully, after reading these tips you’re now motivated to start studying and conquer finals week! Remember to take time for yourself, and most importantly, you got this!