I haven’t had the typical college experience, I’ll admit. I came to Wittenberg as a sophomore with college credits from three different institutions. But my first real experience with finals week was during the winter of my first year at Wittenberg. I was so nervous going into my finals! I didn’t know what to expect, and was so worried about maintaining my grades after taking a huge test which carried so much pressure. Now, as a seasoned senior, I’ve reached the point where I refuse to let finals phase me. Take it from me, finals are not a good reason to overstress and make yourself miserable. Here are a few pieces of advice I’ve learned over the past three years

1. Remember the big picture

Sure, your final exam may be cumulative and worth 20% of your grade, but keep your mind on the bigger picture at hand. Why are you at college? Is it just to get good grades? If so, you might be missing the point. College is a time of learning, even learning to fail. Yes, I’ve gotten great grades as well as some that I’m not proud to admit. If you focus on learning the material throughout the semester instead of just getting A’s, you will probably learn more substance of value and do better on your final.

2. Don’t put grades above your mental health

It’s no secret that college students are already at a high risk for anxiety and depression, but these periods of intense exams can seriously take a toll on the state of your mental health. Try taking some deep breaths throughout the day or even meditating on the good things in your life. Inhale positivity, exhale negativity. Feels better already, doesn’t it? In all seriousness, your grades will not matter in a year, or even a month from now. You and your health are worth so much more than a grade.

3. Don't overthink it

Of course you shouldn’t slack on your studying. That isn’t the point of this article. But there does come a point when studying for exams that reviewing the same material over and over again does more harm than good. Be sure to take breaks throughout your preparation to clear your mind and come back to studying with a clean slate. When it comes to exam day, try not to cram. You might confuse yourself even more or forget material that you knew before. Make sure you take the time to eat a filling meal before your exam and take your time. I’ve missed points on exams just because I read the instructions too fast or didn’t check my work. Trust, me it’s worth it to go slow!

Good luck on finals, everyone!