It’s truly amazing how quickly Finals Week approaches at schools with the quarter system. I’m convinced the weeks between midterms and Finals Week simply don’t exist here at UCLA. If you’re panicking about how to cram multiple study sessions into a few days (or a single day, let’s be real), here are some of our Feature Writers’ best tips on ending the quarter strong:
- Communications
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Getting off of TikTok can often be the most difficult step of the studying process (and take hours), which is why Feature Writer Katy Nicholas goes the “Do Not Disturb” route and locks her phone in a different room. Meanwhile, Feature Writer Kylee Kropf thinks the key to a successful study session is to incorporate breaks as needed. If you need help staying on track with your breaks, look into the Pomodoro method; there are tons of apps available. So, go forth and power through those notorious comm readings!
- Psychology
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All my fellow psych majors, listen up! Finals Week is already filled with sleep-deprived nights as it is, and studying in your dorm will only decrease your quality of sleep. In fact, the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard recommends solely reserving your bed for sleep to strengthen the association between sleep and your bedroom. I know how tempting it is to study in bed, but I promise your grades and body will thank you if you set some sleep-hygiene barriers. Some of my favorite study spots include my floor lounge, the nearest coffee shop and The Study on the Hill (so I can refuel my body whenever I get hungry).
- Linguistics and Computer Science
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Knowing your limits in college is a crucial skill that Feature Writer Elyse Foreman promotes. If you find yourself unable to keep your eyes open after hours of trying to focus, take a step back and call it a night. Make sure to take care of your physical and mental health during the end of the quarter. We promise the work will still be there tomorrow (unfortunately). If you’re juggling a test-heavy course load like ling and CS majors, this tip is especially important to keep in mind!
- Sociology and Spanish
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I personally spend a lot of time worrying about finals rather than studying for them, which obviously drains the precious motivation I have. Feature Writer Maria Alfaro advises focusing on your mindset before and during finals week. Approaching the end of the quarter with the right, positive attitude is honestly half of the Finals Week battle. Remember: Finals Week is inevitable and it’ll eventually pass, so power through the last few days!
- Global Studies
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Senior Editor Megha Gupta’s Finals Week is filled with papers, which means that she’s spending a good amount of time going through her notes from the past few weeks. She recommends consistently taking detailed notes on lectures and readings from the start of the quarter to make Finals Week just a bit easier. If you’re reading this and realizing this tip came too late, never fear. We still have spring quarter to establish healthy study habits!
- Political Science
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Similar to Megha’s tip, Feature Writer Madenn Le Sommier recommends outlining the main points in readings and lectures ahead of time. Not only does this tip force you to spend some time revisiting old material, but it’ll make preparing for any final papers and exams so much easier. Though these kinds of shortcuts may initially seem like added effort, our team promises that they pay off in the long run.
- Public Health
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Feature Writer Ciara Murphy understands the realities of living the booked and busy lifestyle all too well, which is why she’ll forever live by her Google Calendar. Inputting all of your deadlines and responsibilities into your Google Calendar is one of the most reliable ways to stay on top of your commitments. A great tip for all the UCLA students out there is to import your BruinLearn calendar into your Google Calendar (tutorial here), so that you never miss an assignment.
There’s no one correct way to prepare for Finals Week. After all, the “best” study method is one that aligns with your schedule, goals and class formats. If you were looking for some ways to change up your study sessions, we hope our tips gave you fresh ideas! Happy studying!