Each and every one of us knows what it’s like to stress out over finals and feel as if it’s the end of the world. The past few weeks of classes have consisted of more work that anyone of us has had all semester. It seems as if every professor is trying to cram in as much as they can before giving their final exams. Studying for finals can be a stressful time for everyone, but there are some things that can lessen the stress and make finals week slightly better.
1. Study in a Group
By studying as part of a group for a final, everyone is able to see that they are not the only ones stressing about a particular final. Not only does being part of a group help make things more interesting but it also opens up new perspectives and students are able to learn different ways to study particular topics. Group study sessions not only help students to study in different ways but it allows students to help each other in areas where they may be struggling. And if you think about it, who wouldn’t want to have a pizza night study session? Because pizza makes everything better.
2. Focus on the finals you have first
There’s no point in studying for a final you have on Friday when it’s only Monday. By studying for finals in order, it helps to keep the information fresh in your mind and prevents you from getting information mixed up. It also allows you to focus on one thing at a time instead of freaking out about everything at once.
3. Don't drink lots of caffeine
Although pulling an all-nighter and cramming for that final seems like a good idea it never is. By drinking lots of caffeine and trying to keep yourself awake to study, you may be making things worse for yourself. Not only do you risk falling asleep in class, but your brain actually remembers information better if you sleep on it overnight. Overall, that last cup of coffee to keep you going is not worth it, especially if you have an early final the next day. By lacking sleep and running on pure caffeine, everyone ends up looking a little bit like Squidward.
4. Take a break
Some may not think that taking a break is a good idea, but your brain needs time to process all the information it is getting. For every couple of hours you study, allow yourself to take a small break, eat a snack or watch an episode of your favorite show. Allow yourself to relax a little because by taking a break your brain can retain the information, and you can come back to your notes less frustrated than you were.
5. Remember summer is just around the corner
Finals week is hell for everyone, but giving yourself something to look forward to makes things seem less bad. By having something to look forward to, it allows you to take a break and remember that finals are not the end of the world. Summer is just around the corner, and the moment you take that final test, the stress will have been worth it.
Finals week is terrifying for everyone, but it is not the end of the world. Sure, everyone goes into a panic, but finals are never as bad as they may seem. The studying and the stress always seem to be worse than the actual test, and the moment it’s over you can forget about it. Summer is around the corner. We just need to make it through that final week, and then we can relax for the next three months.
