Finals are really tough... We all know that. Whether it's trying to study for a class you went to once during the term, a class that you spent scrolling through social media platforms, a class you absolutely loved, or a class you absolutely hated, IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR FLASHCARDS, YOUR #2 PENCILS, BUY THOSE SCANTRONS AND THOSE GREEN BOOKS BECAUSE IT'S THAT TIME OF THE TERM. IT'S TIME TO DROWN YOURSELF IN STUDYING AND SPEND EVERY WAKING HOUR IN THE LIBRARY.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for those finals we all hate... :
1. DO NOT PULL AN ALLNIGHTER!
It is proven that pulling an all nighter actually makes your studying less effective, your memory worsens, your grades will lower, sleep deprivation can lead to short term euphoria, and believe it or not... YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM A STROKE AS YOU AGE!
2. MAKE SURE TO EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST THE MORNING OF THE FINAL (BUT STAY AWAY FROM BRAIN BLOCKING FOODS)!
Foods made of white flour, such as cookies, cakes, and muffins require added time and energy to digest. Avoid foods that are high in refined sugar, such as chocolates, desserts, and candies. Do not have turkey before an exam as it contains L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid which makes you feel sleepy. "When eaten alone, carbohydrates make you feel more relaxed than alert. So carbs are a good option for the day before the exam, but not on the actual exam day. In addition, carbs such as rice or potatoes, eaten in large quantities, can make you feel heavy and sleepy." Avoid foods that a high in sugar, such as chocolates, desserts, and candies. They will send you off on sugar highs and lows — the opposite of stabilizing you during your long exam.
3. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!! IT WILL ONLY MAKE YOU STRESS MORE!!
Okay, let's be real here. We are ALL PROCRASTINATED and it has NEVER HELPED. Stay focused... yeah it's definitely hard, but it's worth it to pay attention to your study materials. If you begin studying a week or two in advance, you don't have to study as much as later on. If you procrastinate, you'll be cramming closer to the date of your final. Wouldn't you rather get all your test materials together and study a little earlier than cram two days before and hardly retain the information? The choice is YOURS.
4. MAKE SURE TO FIT IN SOME CARDIO BEFORE STUDYING!
It's scientifically proven that running before studying helps with your blood flow and allows you to concentrate more. Science says that just 20 minutes of cardio can improve your memory! Whether you’re dancing, jogging or busting a sweat by walking, exercise will increase your energy level and reduce the effects of stress.
5. ALTERNATE YOUR STUDY SPOTS!!!
Spending all night in the library can be draining. According to the New York Times, simply alternating the room where a person studies improves retention. In an experiment, psychologists found that college students who studied a list of 40 vocabulary words in two different rooms — one windowless and cluttered, the other modern, with a view on a courtyard — did far better on a test than students who studied the words twice, in the same room. Why? Supposedly, the brain makes subtle associations between what it is studying and the background sensations it has at the time. Try alternating your study spots between the library, a study room, and a quiet coffee house.
GOOD LUCK WITH FINALS EVERYONE. WE'VE GOT THIS!!!
