It's that time again, folks: the dreaded finals week. This is a week full of massive amounts of caffeine, essays, exams and sometimes even tears. But guess what, you're not alone! Almost every campus is exactly where you are right now preparing, stressing and trying to survive. Some students even go so far as to take medication, such as Adderall or Ritalin to stay awake and focused, but I urge you not to go to these dangerous lengths.
In this article, I've provided a list that will attempt to help you get through the week, as it has helped me endure the past three years filled with several weeks of final exams.
1. Take a breath.
I know this sounds like an easy first step, but it is! However, it's crucial because if you just jump right into the madness that is finals, you're going to hit a roadblock of stress right out of the gates. Breathe in. Breathe out.
2. Make a to-do list.
Alright, I admit this is cliché. And you may be thinking, "But this doesn't work for me because I get stressed seeing all I have to do in such a short time," or something similar to that. Trust me, I understand. I used to think to-do lists would do nothing but stress me out. However, once I actually tried it, I realized it is so helpful having all the assignments and tasks you have to accomplish organized into one place.
3. Take things one step at a time.
From my personal experience, if you try to multitask and go from tab to tab, from essay to presentation, etc., it's not going to work. Take one piece on your list at a time, and work on just that one. Don't worry about the test you still have to study for while you're writing your essay. It will just distract and ultimately discourage you.
5. Make reasonable goals each day.
It feels incredible to reach goals every single day. It motivates you to accomplish more and more! Say to yourself, "I will finish half of these note cards tonight," or "I will get four pages done on my research paper." Not, "I want to," but, "I will." The other day when I finished two of my huge goals, I was so excited that I had a dance party to Meghan Trainor in my room for a solid 15 minutes. But that's just me.
6. Reward yourself.
Whether you choose actual gold stars or not, rewarding yourself for accomplishing goals is an important step. If you don't get rewarded for the effort you put into something, you're more than likely not going to be motivated to do it again. These don't have to be huge rewards. Some examples could be snacks, an episode on Netflix, a few rounds of a video game, etc. I have a friend who rewards herself with a gummy bear every time she finishes reading a page in a textbook. Find what works for you!
7. Get enough sleep.
I completely understand the temptation or need to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish all your assignments and studying. We've all done it. Try your best not to do it. Sleep deprivation only hurts you (and your grades). Do your best to plan study times earlier in the day, so you can get 6-7 hours of good sleep during the night.
8. Don't skip meals.
Time is short, and your to-do list is long. I get it. But not getting enough nutrition is only going to make studying that much harder. You lose focus and attention the less you eat. Make sure you get enough food each day, regardless of how much work you have to accomplish. If you tend to forget when you're stressed, have your friends keep you accountable!
9. Spend time with friends.
Speaking from personal experience, camping out in your room is going to drive you insane. Hiding from the world might seem like the only way to be productive, but in fact, making sure that you have some time with your friends—even if it's just for a short conversation—is essential to staying on the right track. Conversations with friends will boost your mood, and even if you're upset about having to go back to studying, you'll feel grateful you got out of your room.
10. Don't blow it off.
The temptation to slack off is real. Knowing you have so much to do in such a short amount of time, makes you want to run away or distract yourself with anything other than something productive. Just remember, every time you accomplish something, you get closer to having your entire list done. Keep going!
11. Remember to pack up your room.
The most inconvenient time you have to pack everything up is during finals week. Don't wait until the last minute to do everything! I've done it—it's bad. Along with your goals for your assignments, papers, presentations, etc., make little goals each day for packing purposes. One day, pack up those clothes you haven't worn in months, and the next, pack up the office supplies you're not going to need for the rest of the semester.
12. Get pumped for summer!
You made it through with only a little blood, sweat and tears. You're finally done! Great job. Give yourself a pat on the back and, "treat yo' self" to a nice dinner.
