It's officially here -- the most terrible time of the year. That's right, it's finals week. The dreaded, sleep-deprived week where we fuel ourselves on coffee, pizza, and junk food at an attempt to learn three months of lectures in one night. While I hate this week just as much as the next person, I know how to survive it. Here are some survival strategies:
1. Spend your time well.
This is so important! Instead of binge-watching Netflix and putting off study guides and reading for the last minute, get started early. Read through your notes and figure out what's the most important, and then use that information to create your study guides. Trust me, when it's 1 a.m. the night before your exam, you'll be happy you planned ahead.
2. Make note cards and practice quizzes
Note cards are probably one of the simplest and most effective study techniques. If you like holding the physical card in your hand, write down the important facts and information and then study away. However, if you prefer studying on the computer, www.Quizlet.com is the place for you. Not only can you make online notecards, the website also generates practice quizzes for you, which, studies show, is one of the most efficient study techniques.
3. Allow yourself to take breaks
Don't overwork yourself! You may feel like you need to be studying for six hours straight, but that is not going to turn out well for you in the end. Study for around 40 minutes, then allow yourself a five or ten minute break to meditate, have a dance party, or to do whatever relaxes you most. Once your time is up, get back to work. Just remember to not take too long of a break.
4. Switch up your study spot
Alternating study spaces is a very efficient way to improve your recall. Location plays a factor in memory, so it's important to study for different exams in different places. For example, if you know your stats exam is in the Armory, try studying there too. This way when you take the exam, your surroundings can help you remember information.
5. Have snacks
Choosing certain foods that fuel the brain can actually improve your mental alertness, and therefore, your studying! Some great snacks to try are nuts, apples, whole grain crackers, dark chocolate, berries, and dark chocolate espresso beans, for that extra caffeine kick. Not only are these foods yummy and help you retain information, they're super easy to bring with you, and they aren't as loud as a bag of chips.
6. Get enough sleep
You may think pulling an all-nighter every night is helping you, but in reality, it's doing the opposite. In order to properly retain information and remember study material, you have to maintain a healthy sleep cycle. If you're running on little to no sleep, you're only hurting yourself!
7. Make to-do lists and utilize your planner
By making lists of everything you have to do, it'll be easier to make sure it actually gets done. Planners and to-do lists are great ways of staying on top of your assignments, and crossing things off that you completed is so satisfying.
8. Take care of yourself!
It's true, your mental health is way more important than your grades, honestly. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water, eating the right foods, and keeping up with your regular care regime. Keep up with your exercise, mediate, and binge on that Talenti gelato when you're stressed beyond belief and in need of an ice cream and cry session. If you don't take care of yourself, you'll only do worse.
Good luck, collegiates, and kick finals week's butt!
