As much as I hate to say it, finals are right around the corner. We came back from Thanksgiving Break and now suddenly everything has gotten real. Most classes have their final test followed just a mere few days later by a final exam. Whether the final exam is cumulative or just the last remaining portion of content covered, the idea of a final exam can be quite daunting.

In order to make finals less daunting here are six things to do

The most important is to plan ahead. We all know the time before winter break is very short and there is a lot to get done before that. In order to feel less stressed about how to accomplish everything, planning ahead is necessary. Designate specific times to get each task done. Also, when it comes to spacing out your time it never hurts to allow for extra time because you never truly know how long something will take until you begin working on it.

Make sure to prioritize. This also ties into planning ahead. If you know you typically take more time to fully understand everything in your science class such as chemistry for example, then you need to make sure you have designated more time to study for this class.

When preparing for finals, try varying your studying strategies. Maybe you rewrite notes from class and then quiz yourself with flashcards or a Quizlet you have made in order to determine how much of the material you have actually processed and retained. Maybe watch a video on the concept you just reviewed. Whatever you do, try to find different ways to prepare.

Despite, how busy preparing for final exams makes you, it is important to still eat well. Make sure you are not only consuming processed or fast food. It can make you feel tired and sluggish. Next time you are at the dining hall, make sure to have fruits or vegetables or even better, have both!

Incorporate physical activity or exercise into your day. You could go take a quick class at the Recreation Center. That is something that will only take about thirty minutes to an hour out of your day and in doing so can aid in relieving stress.

Finally, it is important to know when it is appropriate to take a break. Sitting for several hours reading notes will not help you. Try taking a short break even if it is only ten to fifteen minutes after you have studied for anywhere from sixty to ninety minutes. When you do take breaks hydrate and or consume food that will boost your energy.

Good luck everyone on your finals, and remember that you can do it!