As classes wrap up before the holiday season, college students are finding that only one thing separates them from sleeping in and doing absolutely nothing: finals. Those pesky things that make us question going to college. Finals are the epitome of hatred for college students. They're the main causes of stress for many students. I mean - testing everything I've been taught throughout the entire class, when I can't even remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, how is that fair? So here's some tips to help get through those awful tests - maybe these tips will make them bearable. Maybe.
Know when your final is and where. Some finals are not in the normal classroom, or at the class time. So make sure you know it before you walk in and find out it was yesterday. Awkward.
Unplug. If you type your notes, print them out. It's waayyyy too tempting to go on social media. Turn off your phone and TV. Have some music in the background, if need be, but for the most part turn off the glowing screens. They're distractions and then you get caught in the never-ending scrolling and before you know it it's midnight and you've studied for maybe 5 minutes (it can't just be me who does this).
Take breaks. Don't study for 5 minutes then decide you need a break - that's not what I mean. I mean study hard for an hour or two then take a small 15 minute break. You start seeing them as rewards for the studying, so you study harder to get that reward. Take a walk, eat a snack, take a nap. Whatever you deem as a reward for your hard studying.
Don't wait till the last minute to study. Or the night before. I'm guilty of doing this - it's what college students are known for: procrastination. But during finals, this is your worst nightmare. DON'T DO IT. Studying the night before has been proven not effective in test taking. So just don't do it. Start studying a week before the final. Study a little bit each night. Then two nights before the finals review all of the studying you've done. The night before the test? Pour yourself a glass and kick your feet up - you deserve it. Take a break. Then right before the test do a quick review of everything again. This has proven to be the best way to do it, rather than waiting. OR wait. Whatever you want to do.
EAT. AND NOT JUST PIZZA. I repeat - NOT JUST PIZZA. Science has told us (and our mother's have to) what you put in your body effects how our bodies do. Nourishment is important to help retention! Out of our entire college career - if you're only going to eat healthy at one point in the entire quarter/semester let it be finals week! Eat before the test too - then you can focus on the test and not the apocalypse happening in your stomach. After finals? Enjoy that pizza. And wine. Lots of wine.
Sleep. You know - that mystical thing that college students rarely experience? Apparently you need it. Who knew? Apparently if you sleep and get 8 hours of it, it helps with focusing. Huh. I might have to try this one.
I know, I know. This may seem like a list that is near impossible for students (trust). But, it can really help you go from a C-average student to a B-average student (goals). Or do it throughout the class and get to be an A student (huh... I might be on to something). Time management becomes a huge thing when it comes to classes, so don't wait! And then, when you're done rocking that test, give yourself a high-five (mentally... or not and be looked at weird - personal preference) and drink a bottle of wine for your efforts. Then you have almost an entire month before classes, so sleep and eat as much junk food as you want. Use the break to start stocking up on your wine for the next quarter/semester. Or drink it all. I don't judge.
