The time of year that every student dreads is just around the corner. Yup, that’s right… finals! Finals are an extremely stressful time for students, but it is important to remember to take care of yourself and take a few breaks here and there. As a fourth year student, I have been through a few exam seasons so I compiled a list of a few tips for those getting ready for the next dreadful few weeks.
Here are six tips to get you through this final exam season:
1. Exercise.
We all know how hard it is to find the motivation and time to get out there and incorporate some exercise into your routine during finals, but it really is important to stay active for your overall well-being. Exercising will make you feel better by making you feel more alert and less sluggish and as a result, ready to take on a day of studying.
2. Get a good night’s rest.
I made the mistake of pulling a few all-nighters in first year, and not only did I feel awful the next day but it was actually detrimental to my performance on exams. Getting a good night’s sleep can be hard during finals, especially if you have a few exams and are trying to learn an abundance of information in a short period of time. However, getting a full night’s sleep is the most important tip to get you through finals. Lack of sleep will decrease your alertness and your ability to focus and memorize.
3. Eat well.
During finals, students are often tempted to order in or buy food on campus for the sake of convenience. However, the food that they order and buy often ends up being junk food. Look, it’s totally cool if you feel like treating yourself after that difficult exam. But it is important to try and eat a well-balanced diet to adequately nourish your body and brain. If you are a library studier, meal prep! It only takes a few minutes to make a quick meal to-go. All you have to do is pack a sandwich, veggies and fruits. And you will even save money too!
4. Create a schedule.
Students often have more than one exam and don’t manage their time efficiently because they do not have a schedule, which leads to stress and anxiety. Creating a study schedule and following it will likely lead to better time management skills and consequently, less stress.
5. Study with others!
I found out how effective studying with others can be a little too late in my university career. Studying with others can help you memorize more effectively. Beware though, studying with friends can be distracting so maybe try studying with an acquaintance from class! Even if you feel like you are well prepared, study with someone else! You can teach them (which is so helpful) or you may find out something you did not know before.
6. Change your study space.
I think the worst thing during finals is sitting in the same place for hours at a time, day after day. It really is refreshing to switch up your study space every so often. If you’ve studied at the same library for the past three days, try going to another library or if you can focus in noisier environments then go to one of the many coffee shops in London, like William’s Café!
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