It's that time of year again. Finals are upon us, and everyone is super stressed about the last couple weeks of school separating us from a month-long break.
While it would definitely be ideal to simply curl up into a ball and wake up when it's all over, we have to push through this. Here are 10 tips to make sure that this finals season is the most productive one yet.
1. Switch up your study space
Don't study well in the library? Study somewhere else instead. Nice and sunny outside? Take your work out into the fresh air.
2. Take productive breaks
When your break turns into an endless Instagram-scroll, it's really hard to motivate yourself to get stuff done again. Take breaks from your homework to get other things done: work on an easier assignment, start a load of laundry, go for a quick walk. But don't give in to the social media black hole. Don't do it.
3. Let yourself take naps
Binge-studying means that you're probably not getting much sleep at night. Instead of feeling guilty when you nod off during the day, allow naps to be a scheduled part of your daily routine.
4. Eat snacks
Food is fuel for your brain. Eat good, healthy snacks while you're studying to keep your body and mind feeling their best.
5. Take a break from your phone
I use an app called Moment that tracks how much I use my phone and it's startling to see those numbers. I've discovered that leaving my phone at home while I'm in class helps me pay attention more— and I don't find myself missing it nearly as much as I thought I would.
6. Download a website blocker to eliminate distractions
I use a Google Chrome extension called StayFocusd that only lets me go on certain websites (like Facebook and Buzzfeed) for a certain amount of time each day before it locks me out. It's super useful and forces me to maximize my time.
7. Delete apps that you know take up all your time
I deleted almost all of my game apps and the Facebook app from my phone so I wouldn't feel as tempted to open them up and waste time whenever I'm feeling bored. Game changer!
8. Set little goals
Have 23 things to get done between now and tomorrow? Take it one step at a time instead of trying to deal with everything all at once.
9. Reward yourself
Learn to be self-motivating by giving yourself little rewards for your progress. Finish a reading assignment? Buy yourself some coffee. Done with exams for the week? Go see a movie. Make sure that there's a balance of fun and relaxiation in your life to balance out all the not-so-fun studying you have to do.
10. Study smarter, not harder
Figure out what study methods work for you and maximize your knowledge, rather than wasting time trying to memorize everything you know you'll forget once the exam's over.
