The end of the school year is both the most dreaded and anticipated time of year. Seniors are ready for graduation and everyone else is excited to vacation to new and exciting places and just take a break from school. However, before you can enjoy your summer festivities, one major roadblock stands in your way: finals. Here's how you can make the most out of your finals week.
1. Talk to your professors
Concerned about an upcoming exam or just want some clarification? Visit your prof during office hours! This shows initiative and that you actually care about your success in the class. You can ask to go over past quizzes to see what you missed, get clarification on exam content or even ask for hints on how to study for the exam.
2. Minimize distractions
You can't start studying until you stop procrastinating. Phones and social media can be a huge distraction during finals week. Log out of your social media accounts and turn your notifications off, everything will still be there once you're done studying. If you're as easily distracted as I am or if you just need some extra reinforcement, try downloading Cold Turkey (Windows) or Self Control (Mac) to block distracting websites for a set period of time.
3. Develop a strategy
Cramming the night before an exam is not the way to go. Block out studying time for each of your classes. Prepare any study materials you might need (flash cards, notes, etc.). Get together a study group,
4. Make time for study breaks
It's important to incorporate small breaks into your study routine. Take five- to fifteen-minute breaks after every couple of hours or so to give your brain some time to refresh. Take a deep breath or go for a short walk. Just make sure to return to studying when you're done!
5. Take care of yourself
It's super easy to stress eat during finals week, but always remember that your health comes first! Nourish your body by ditching the junk food and make sure to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Substitute chips and ice cream for foods with high antioxidant levels, like berries, dark chocolate and nuts to help you focus longer.
6. Get a good night's sleep
While it may seem tempting to pull an all-nighter and just overload on coffee the night before, nothing replaces a good night's rest. Sleep is super important and impacts your cognitive functioning. You know how much sleep your body needs, and even if getting the full six to eight hours seems unlikely, make sure you at least get some sleep so you're not walking into your exam looking and feeling like a zombie.
Go ace those finals!
