Are final exams as stressful as people really make them seem? I guess that it all depends on perspective. Honestly, I don't find exams as stressful as a lot of other people.
I was fortunate to attend a high school that encouraged hard work and good study habits. So I have built up a good study ethic. Studying throughout the semester and teaching yourself the material slowly helps you retain the information. I was blessed to have been taught this.
But some people were not taught how to study and exams are super stressful for them. My word of advice to you is to review all the notes you have taken in class, look over all the powerpoints that are posted, and review assigned readings in your textbook. One of my favorite ways to study is to re-write my notes. Writing notes again helps retain muscle memory and it reinforces the knowledge.
Another thing that helps keep me calm is, when I go into a final exam or any test really, I tell myself
"You know what you know and there's nothing you can do now."
By telling myself this, I can focus on what I know and kick-butt at everything on the exam I am positive I know instead of dwelling over the things that I do not know. Besides, being stressed out for an exam only causes anxiety. Being anxious will not help you any for any test; anxiety only causes you to focus on how you feel and not the material you are supposed to be tested on.
But if you are a person that just is perpetually stressed out during exam week, I have a few suggestions for you. To help reduce your stress level, I would drink some hot tea, do some yoga, listen to some classical music, or take nap. Napping is always my go-to stress reliever. Pair a good nap with some Netflix and you've got the best exam "detox" recipe. Some people like to go on a run to help clear their minds. I mean, I support it if it really helps you but... personally I don't see any benefit to tiring yourself out. But you do you, boo boo. Just find something that you can do that relieves any stress.
But as finals approach, just remember that you are smart and you are great. There is nothing to worry about if you have been paying attention all semester in class. Figure out how you study best and stick to it. Turn off all distractions, don't get on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. The more focused you are on studying and less focused on social media you are, the better your grades will be.
