Finals week can be very stressful, but if you follow these five tips, I am positive you will succeed!
1. Manage your time!
Every university and college schedules their finals week differently. This means that your statistics exam may be scheduled at your normal class time — or it could be scheduled at a different time and different day. Make sure you are 110% positive that you know where and when your final exams will take place. Scurrying and scrambling to find out this information on the day of your final will only serve to increase your stress and anxieties. Save yourself the stress and make sure you know where and when your final is being held.
2. Get some sleep!
During exam week, many university libraries stay open twenty-four hours a day. An abundant of students stress over the amount of last-minute cram study sessions that they need to get done. Pulling an all-nighter is possibly one of the worst things you can do for yourself (DON'T DO IT). Brains that are fatigued do not retain or recall all that information you have been studying hard for. Studying in an effective way towards the end of the semester, but following a reasonable sleep schedule is essential and key to being successful during finals week.
3. Stay active! #JustDoIt
Exercise helps to boost blood flow to the brain — sitting in one place for a long period of time can lead to an ill-supplied and tired mind. Although you may not be able to fit in a workout during your finals weeks, you should make the time to go for a short walk or to do some sets of push-ups or squats. You can simply turn to the internet for help to find "exercises for office workers" or "exercises you can do in the library." Upon your search, it will lead you to activities that you can perform to keep your blood flowing during this critical portion of the semester. #JustDoit
4. Eat well!
Eating healthy and nutritious foods is always a great idea (#Duh). During finals week, you may be tempted to eat and drink items that are convenient which tend to be unhealthy. However, the unfulfilling calories of processed carbohydrates will ultimately leave you exhausted. Instead, one should eat foods that are digested slowly such as fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. As you head into exam week, planning out what you are going to eat ahead of time goes a long way. Bags of baby carrots and celery can provide a quick, healthy snack, as can a handful of almonds or rolls of turkey and cheese. Before your final, make sure to eat a full meal that is high in protein. Most final exams are more than an hour, and a sugar rush simply will not provide you with the energy you need to kill that final. Similarly, taking an important test while hungry can be a huge disaster and distraction.
5. Don't be too hard on yourself!
All in all, the only thing you can do is try your very best. If you manage your time wisely and make sure you know where and when your final exam is — you will be sure to succeed. If you get good sleep and make sure to eat a well-balanced diet during finals week — you will be sure to succeed. If you make sure to take a break, stay active, and get your blood pumping — you will be sure to succeed. Make sure to set your nerves and worries aside so that you can stay on task and succeed. Keep in mind that a grade doesn't define you, work hard and do the best you can do!
Best of luck on your finals!
