As a college student who just wrapped up her third semester of junior college I wish I had better advice for how to make it through finals week. Unfortunately, the best I can offer is that you just try to survive. Finals are not "just a test" or a high school exam. These things determine if you pass or fail a class. In college, failing a class can cost you your GPA, a scholarship, and even your sanity. But, studying for one can cost you those same things. So in order to try and help you steer in the right direction here's some tips to help with finals next semsester.
1. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE
I swear since freshman year and ever semester up until now I've promised myself I wasn't going to wait to the last mintue to complete my work. I have also broken that promise every year. While it sounds impossible I HIGHLY recomend you start early. Facing tasks head on might feel stressful in the moment, but when you have everything done weeks in adavnce there's so much more time to do super fun things that college students don't get to do-like sleep!
2. Go outside.
When you're stuck in a room without windows-like a classroom or dorm room- for hours upon hours a day, sometimes you feel trapped or disconnected from the world; just getting some fresh air can calm the anxiety and stress that you're feeling and help to clear your head. I actually had a professor that told my class that when she was in grad school, she got so stressed out that she dropped everything, went outside, took her shoes off, and just walked around campus to feel grass on the bottom of her feet.
3. Have a support system.
I make the biggest mistake of my life this past semester by deciding to take college level math online. I have always sucked at math and I have no idea why I thought that it was a good idea. Luckily my campus has a learing lab full of wonderful people who are experts in their feilds. With their help and my families help I didn't have a full blown break down. I passed the class with a B and made an A on the final. Without those amazing people and all their help I'm not sure what I would've done.
4. Try to get some sleep.
This might seem impossible, but sleep is absolutley essential to making sure you survive finals. Staying up for thirty hours straight-like I stupidly did- kills you and your motivation. Repeating my point from earlier if you don't wait until the night before to cram everying in, you'll actually be able to get a healthy amount of sleep and not snap on someone out of exhaustion. Plus sleep is amazing.
5. Take a break.
Sometimes stepping back from a difficult problem or project is a good idea. Just take a minute to yourself; go get some coffee, take a nap, call your mom-she'll be your biggest motivator through this week. When you're ready take another look at whatever you're working on you may have a whole new perspective and frame of mind.
So, I hope you do great on you're finals! Drink lots of coffee and study hard!
