Let’s be real here, finals are right around the corner and most of us are ready to curl up in a ball and nap or are procrastinating hardcore. Stop procrastinating and avoiding your projects and tests; here’s how to not only make it through but beat finals week and own it.
Get Organized
Grab that crumpled up syllabus and start looking over when your finals actually are during finals week and put it in your planner; knowing when and where your exam will be is the first step in avoiding the nightmare of missing your final or showing up to the wrong classroom. From there, you can figure out which test you need to study for first.
Break It Down
Have projects or papers due? Grab some coffee and break down when you will start doing research when you’ll put it all together, and of course, leave time to look everything back over. By breaking large papers and projects down in advance, you give yourself more time to work efficiently and avoid cramming at the last minute—plus you’ll save yourself a ton of unnecessary stress.
Prioritize
What is due first? What subject am I struggling with the most? By asking yourself these questions, you can ensure you focus on problem areas efficiently, giving yourself plenty of time to get some last minute tutoring or editing help.
Communicate with your Professor
Not doing so well in that Organic Chemistry class? Email your professor and try to work with them on how to save your grade; most professors realize students struggle with all sorts of issues and are willing to work with students, but ultimately it is your responsibility as a student to reach out and let them know what’s going on.
Make a study guide
Know what is going to be on your final first and foremost—is it cumulative, or is it only the last 12 chapters you covered in class? Identify what your final exam consists of, and pull your notes to form a condensed study guide of any areas of emphasis mentioned by your professor or areas you need to review more and block out what you’ll review when.
Leave time to edit
This is so important! One last editing session could take your paper from a B or a C to an A! Be sure you understand the paper parameters, format, and citations are done correctly. Go through your paper and check for any spelling and grammar issues—spell check is far from perfect. Send your corrected draft to the writing studio and your professor for any additional feedback and know you still have time to make any additional changes.
Utilize a positive outlet for stress
Freaking out? Step away from your desk and go get some fresh air. Exercise is one of the best ways to release pent up stress in a positive way; yeah that snap decision to go to the bar may seem like a great idea now, but you’ll just wind up with a wicked hangover, drama, and less time to prep. Instead, hit the gym, do some yoga, find your focus and handle it.
Get enough sleep
I know this sounds hysterical right now, but a good night sleep can make all the difference. Research shows that when you stay up all night to cram you retain less information and are more likely to make errors. Also, you run the risk of falling asleep during your exam…not cool.
Avoid Distractions
We all love our friends and families and organizations, but right now school comes first, you’ve made it this far don’t trip at the finish line because of petty nonsense. Avoid drama and friends that tend to get you off track and sit down and do what you know you need to do and just get it done, simple as that.
Know that you are only human and you are doing the best you can
I can’t stress enough that you are only human. Do what you can and take things one step at a time. Life is about so much more than a bunch of tests, know it will continue after finals week is done. Just do the best you can and keep positive and moving forward.
