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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UIC chapter.

Oh man!!! It’s that time of the year, again. That’s right everyone. Finals week is just a few weeks away. What are you going to do to prepare for your upcoming exams and projects? If you’re the type of person who needs tips and skills to make it through finals, this article is for you. Here are 4 simple tips to make sure your finals week is a breeze.

1.) Have an Organized System

People panic because they’re concerned about due dates or because they don’t have enough time to get their assignments done. Use calendars and planners to keep track of time limits. It’s better to know when things are due than not to know. I’m using the Google Calendar as my phone alerts me about certain things. Another thing I’ve been asking my friends about is the spreadsheet process. With this process, you review all of your syllabi and create a chart to keep track of your due dates to keep track of completion. I love how I can color code because it makes my document look appealing. Also, I have access to the sheet because it’s on Google. Here’s an example of my current semester plan.                                                                                                                 Image: By Nikiya Alfred

2.) Create Time to Study

 Does your study method impact your performance? Dedicated time to studying is good for your brain because you’re helping it to absorb the information you’ve learned. You’re going to cram if you don’t give yourself time to prepare. Cramming implies that you waited until the last minute to complete a task. Those who have cram have a lower chance of success than people who spread their study habits. Here are 3 tips.

  • Choose classes that have the most content or classes that you’re struggling in
  • For classes that require lots of memorization, like History, study a week before the exam
  • Create flashcards, use Quizlet, and go to office hours

3.) Have Brain Breaks

In addition to not cramming, it’s important to not overwork the brain. Your brain is a muscle, and overusing that muscles will cause fatigue. Give yourself 30-minute breaks to relax. Watch your favorite show on Netflix, eat a snack, or take a quick nap. When you don’t give yourself enough time to relax, you will have anxiety and will likely perform poorly on your exams. 

                                                                                                        

4.) Hang Out with Your Friends and Family

Surrounding yourself with people you love will help calm your nerves and take your mind off school for a little while. Family and friends are there to support you through the good times and the bad ones. Many people fail to realize that college is not a time for isolation. You can’t make it on your own, so make sure you find time to be with the people you love. But if you don’t have a social life, college is the ideal time to create one. Join a sorority, a campus club, a sports team, or befriend a classmate.                                                                                                          

Nikiya Alfred is the current events director for the UIC HER CAMPUS chapter. She's a third-year college student from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a passion for problem-solving issues in the CPS system. As an Urban Education major with a concentration in English Language Arts, she wants to explore more on Educational policy. This is the perfect opportunity for her to build relationships with other women who have a passion for writing. Please follow her on Instagram @Moondoll_7.
UIC Contributor.