"Just study harder"
"Go to tutoring"
"Ask the professor for help"
"Try studying differently"
"You haven't graduated yet?"
If you're anything like me, you've heard these phrases so many times that you practically hear them in your sleep. I know I do. But again if you're anything like me, it doesn't matter how hard you study; you and exams don't always scream success. But during my four years of college, there are a few things I wish didn't take me four years to figure out. Here are 11 things I think we all need to remember.
1. Ignore them.
They don't see you spending 6 hours at a time sitting at Barnes and Noble nearly every day with your laptop, notes and textbook studying. They don't see how you spend so much time sitting there studying that every time you walk through the door, the workers and barista's greet you by name and ask how your exam went because they saw how hard you were studying. Quite frankly, none of them have a clue how much you're studying so their opinions don't matter.
2. Remember to eat and drink water.
This might seem silly but I'm beyond serious. I know how stressful exams and homework can be, even more so when you struggle with testing. I know what it's like to consume so much caffeine that you're literally shaking and can't hold your pen anymore because you're exhausted but know you need to look over your notes "just one more time". So I won't tell you to cut back on the coffee and energy drinks since I'm the worst with this. But I will tell you that eating and drinking water are extremely important. Your body can't properly function when it's not getting the proper nutrients. If you're going to be pulling an all-nighter, pack some healthy snacks and a refillable water bottle.
3. It's okay to admit you need help.
Sometimes there are some subjects that won't click as easily in our brains, or no matter how hard we try, we just can't figure it out on our own. That's okay. Take a deep breath, and ask for help. Maybe someone else in your class was also struggling but then found an easier way to understand the material that can also help you. It's okay to ask for help.
4. Go to your professor's office hours.
I personally absolutely hate the moment when I realize I'm going to have to meet my professor after class for extra help. Even though I know that's their job, I still feel anxious knowing that my professor is going to realize I have no idea what's going on and then I'll feel like an idiot. It's one of my biggest flaws when it comes to school. But your professor is an extra resource, and maybe even your best one. They went to school to learn different ways to teach the material based on how different students learn. If you didn't understand the way he taught it in class when you meet him later maybe he can explain it in a different way that will make more sense. So again for the people in the back, IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP!!!
5. Give yourself breaks.
It's awesome that you're studying your butt off for your exam, and I applaud you for it. But it's important that you give yourself a break every so often. If you look at the clock and realize you've been studying for two hours straight and haven't moved from your chair, get up and maybe take a short walk. Get a drink. Watch an episode of The Office for a good laugh. Do something that will give your mind a break, time to let the information to sink in, and then go back to it.
6. Study with others.
I know, I know. "But I'd rather study on my own", so would I. But studying with others can help us learn the material better or even make us realize what we need to study more and what we have down. Or if you absolutely don't want to go to a study group with people in your class, have a friend or loved one quiz you or even take 10 minutes to "teach" it to them. (I recently passed a lab practical after teaching my month old niece about the information. So I promise this really can help!)
7. SLEEP. SLEEP. SLEEP.
No, a 45-minute cat nap doesn't count. If you spend all of your time studying but never sleep, by the time your exam comes around you're going to be so exhausted you'll be fighting to stay awake. Or you'll struggle to recall the information. Neither is a good outcome so please take the time to sleep.
8. It's okay to fail sometimes.
"What the hell is she talking about? No, it's not."
Yeah, acutally it is. No one is perfect and sometimes it won't matter how hard you study, you still will fail. You'll be upset, angry and you'll beat yourself up over it, but then it's time to move on and study for the next one. Maybe you'll fail the class. I don't even want to admit how many classes I've had to retake due to exams. But here's what my mom always says when I call her upset about a bad grade: "Did you study hard? Did you try your best? Yeah? Then that's all that matters. As long as you studied hard and tried your best then I'm proud of you. It's just a grade and your grades do not define you."
Even if you fail your exam or fail your class, your grades do not define you. You are more than a letter on a piece of paper. And I am proud of you.
9. Have faith in yourself.
Even when you're so stressed out you contact your parents to tell them that you want to drop out, don't. Have faith in yourself because you can do this. Testing isn't easy for everyone and some people really struggle with it. But keep studying, keep working your butt off and I promise you it will pay off. Believe in yourself because you can do this.
10. Work at your own pace.
Who cares if your friends will graduate before you, or if you've had to retake your class. You don't need to worry about anyone but yourself. So who cares if it takes you longer than others. Look forward to the moment you finally walk across that stage and are handed your diploma. It's going to feel incredible knowing how hard you worked for it because you never gave up.
11. Remember to breathe.
College is stressful and exams suck; I'm pretty sure we can all agree on that. You're working your butt off to pass your classes and reach your goals and that is something worth praising even if it doesn't feel like it right now. But even on the days when it feels impossible, remember to breathe. You've got this.
I personally believe that whoever said college was easy and always fun, was full of it. But that's okay because I know how great it's going to feel when I finally get my degree because I'll know how hard I worked for it. To those of you who are like me who struggle taking exams, I promise it's going to be okay. We're going to figure it out at our own pace and we will get there.
I believe in you.
I support you.
And I can't wait to cheers with you when we get our diplomas.
