Looking for something to do instead of opening your textbook? You've come to the right place!
Stop avoiding the inevitable!! You'll be happy you dedicated those hours after it's all over, and Game of Thrones will be there when your exams are finished.
Okay?
Good.
I wish you well!
How to not actually die during dead week.
It's three in the morning, and I can practically feel my eyes rolling into the back of my head as I struggle to absorb my third chemistry chapter of the night, the words shaking up and down as I fight every urge to simply put my head down and fall right asleep.
This is the fourth consecutive night I have pushed my body beyond its limits and stayed up way past my bedtime, and my brain feels as though it's about to burst with all the essays and exams I've somehow managed to get myself through this week.
Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I pause the intense classical music blasting through my headphones and turn around.
"Hey, I think I'm gonna head out. The limos aren't in service anymore, so I'm just gonna call MUPD. Will you text me when you get back to Straz so I know you're okay?"
I don't recognize the voice of my own best friend at first, the strain of the past couple of evenings paining her vocal cords and causing her to grow hoarse. Her body appears to be succumbing to the weight of all the textbooks shoveled into her backpack, as if her shoulders are pulling her into a puddle of pure exhaustion.
I simply nod my head and can feel my eyelids start to grow heavy almost instantly as I do so.
I watch her exit Raynor, put back in my headphones, and return to the torturous workload of what we college students call "dead week", or the week before finals in which any last-minute papers, final projects, and rushed homework assignments are due for the entire semester.
Last semester, I experienced all the joys and all the pains of my first-ever dead week, and, it almost killed me. I was in Raynor every night until at least 3 in the morning, struggling to finish everything on time while simultaneously trying to study for finals the following week, and there was one night I even contemplated staying there overnight instead of retreating to my dorm. I was a sleep-deprived, unkempt mess of a person the whole week, and wound up contracting a disgusting, sputtering cough that I had up until after Christmas. It was ridiculous, and while I did manage to make it through the end of the semester successfully, I am 100% positive that I could've done just as well (perhaps even better) if I had just slept a little bit more.
In fact, that's actually my goal for this semester's dead week: to make it through the week without almost collapsing walking to class Friday morning, my hands shaking from the excessive amounts of coffee I had consumed in an effort to keep myself going for "just one more day." I have decided that I am going to accomplish this goal in four different ways, all of which I now know are absolutely essential to staying sane during perhaps the most grueling week of the academic year.
Here are my top four tips for staying alive during dead week:
1. Make a schedule, and STICK TO IT!
This is where I went wrong during my first dead week. Before going into the week, I had written out everything I had to do and what days I should have things done by, in an attempt to keep myself organized and reduce my stress levels throughout the week. This is something that can be extremely beneficial and work if you keep up with it, which I didn't do; I was falling behind after day one. That being said, make sure your goals for each day are attainable. It is irrational to try and do everything for one class all in one night, so make sure you space things out and allow time to give yourself breaks!
2. Bring HEALTHY snacks.
It's important to keep your body fueled throughout the day and to keep yourself energized in natural, nutritious ways. While you may be tempted to reach for a bag of chips or a pint of Ben and Jerry's, studies have shown that healthier options like assorted fruits and vegetables will help improve focus and productivity.
3. Try to watch your caffeine intake.
Yes, coffee is amazing, and can help you push through writing two essays at 2 in the morning, but keep in mind that too much caffeine can stunt your productivity. This something that I can attest to, as the first day of dead week last semester, I drank about 4 cups of coffee in the hopes of keeping myself awake through it all. By 4 pm, I was crashing, felt absolutely terrible, and had to take about a 2-hour break to let the caffeine work itself out of my system.
4. Check up on your friends.
We are all in this together, after all, and even if you think you study better/are able to focus more when you're by yourself, it's super important to still make sure your friends are doing well. Text them and ask if they need anything when you take study breaks, send them motivational messages, or bring them their favorite snack if they seem super stressed; also, make sure they are taking care of themselves as well. Call them a limo from Raynor if you have to!
I wish you the best of luck with the end of the semester. Study hard (but not too hard!), and let's all go out with a bang!
Feeling consumed with the intense urge not to do something is the worst when you actually need to get that thing done - so start spending your time wisely while you work up to finding your motivation.
If you don't think "to step away from the task you're just staring at would be productive", think again, keep reading, or keep doing you, but I'm not wrong. You could waste hours trying to force yourself to get work done without ever really getting into it or you could go do something else for a bit until you find the energy to actually work on what needs to be done. Get that thing finished faster with good energy rather than spending hours torturing yourself to get through the work. The results will probably look a lot different too.
It's not helping anyone, especially you, to force anything. Wait for that second wind. Take a step back, gather yourself, refocus, and approach the situation in a refreshed mindset. We can't always stay in "Go! Go! Go!" mode. It's good to separate from the overwhelming stress we impose on ourselves. We all choose to procrastinate and we all choose how we do it. But we don't all procrastinate productively or healthily so that it actually benefits us.
Many times procrastination appears in the form of spiraling down the abyss of streaming shows and movies until you realize it's been hours and now you're even more stressed than earlier. Although streaming media can be inspiring for some people to get their second wind or ideas to draw off, most times it is not helpful. We've all learned this the hard way, but do we change? Not usually. It's a persuasive trap I will admit.
But there are so many other options to explore when you decide to procrastinate. The first being to change your outlook on procrastination; it can be incredibly detoxifying and overall beneficial to the work that is produced afterward. On a similar note, it's also important to change your mindset about whatever task you are putting off. Normally, procrastination comes from negative energy or a negative mindset about what you're trying to do. You're not going to complete any good work while you're nagging yourself with negative thoughts about how much you hate doing whatever you're doing or constantly thinking about how much you'd rather be doing something else or feeling filled with dread and not seeing the point in your work. If you don't feel like you're doing good work or don't see the point, then whoever sees it will be able to tell. So step back from it until you can make a proper effort.
As a frequent procrastinator myself, I feel a great responsibility for helping out my fellow procrastinators who may be struggling. Whether you're struggling with second semester (even though it's only the third week...I get it. School is rough and busy work doesn't always feel necessary) or whether you're putting off tasks on your mental to-do list, there are things you can do to help you find your mojo again.
Personally, if I'm not in a productive mood or feel motivated to get certain work done, I'll either power through and feel distracted the whole time or I will come back to it later. It's worse when I procrastinate and then mentally attack myself for "wasting my time." So I've tried to change that, and here is what I do to try to be a healthier procrastinator.
Recently I have used exercise as a way to procrastinate. It's great for my physical health for getting in a workout that week and it usually puts me in a positive mindset and a productive mood. Then, when I get my work done afterward, I feel even better about myself for getting my work done and for being active!
But when I'm not in an active mood or if the weather is not worth the walk to the Rec, there are other things I do to try to find my groove again. Sometimes it's as easy as changing my location to feel more productive - going to the lounge or surrounding myself with other people that motivate me to be productive. Other times it takes physically changing how I view my task - when I'm feeling stuck writing these articles I always change the font to get a better vibe for my article. Plus it's just fun to do!
This next tip I cannot stress enough - maybe it's just me - but making a list of everything you need to do can be both beneficial or overwhelming and stressful. Put tasks big and small on it. Crossing off tasks one at a time gives yourself a little boost and motivation to keep being productive and getting things done. Now if the list becomes one of those stressful lists that look impossible to complete, start with the smaller tasks first (the ones that can be finished the quickest) that way you get more off the list faster and don't waste all your energy trying to tackle the biggest worries first and feeling like you have so much to do afterward.
Music helps too. Often listening to music while trying to work can be an easy distraction, but some days it helps me to procrastinate by changing my mood, giving me ideas, or by making me feel inspired. If it's one of those days where music with lyrics would just be a terrible idea and unhelpful, my go-to is Spotify's premade playlist Music for Concentration - it actually helps me feel more focused without having to deal with dead silence but also would be so soothing as a sleep playlist…
It could be the notion of knowing this specific task has to be done sooner or later to make me feel motivated. Make your own deadlines to help you get things done on time, but on your own time and in your own productive way. If that means staying up during your second wind, even though you would usually go to bed at that time, use the energy while you feel it! Or if you struggling to do a task during the busy week, but know you could easily do it on the weekend, wait to do it then and leave other tasks for during the week.
And my final tip for procrastinating in a healthy way is to talk to someone about whatever you're struggling with. The act of facing your productivity barriers or negative mindsets can be immensely helpful because hearing it out loud makes you reevaluate if your reaction is rational or not and if there is an obvious answer to your problem. Plus talking to someone who may also be struggling to complete a similar task can stop you from wasting time if you help motivate each other to get your work done or connect on your similar feelings. Just getting a second opinion can be all that you need to snap you back into "work mode."
In my opinion, talking about procrastination is more helpful than dwelling on it internally. We all deal with it and we can all help each other get through it (or at least enjoy it together). When I'm struggling with a task, asking a friend for advice or any ideas is one of my best options because even if their thoughts don't inspire a new work ethic in me I can start seeing the issue differently.
Procrastination doesn't have to be a negative thing in your life. You can make it healthy and productive by doing other things first and getting to That One Task later. Do what you got to do to make That Task completed more smoothly. Nothing should be done without a care in mind. Don't force the work because it won't turn out as well as what you are capable of. So procrastinate to make yourself happier and healthier as well as make your work turn out the way it should while being more enjoyable later on.
It's grind time, Owls.
If you're a Temple student, you know the struggle of campus being crowded 24/7. It's quite difficult at times to find an open table in the SAC or library, not to mention finding a quiet study spot. Here are my top 4 study spots on campus, that never seem to fail me.
Emily Gigliotti
Business student or not, head to Alter Hall for a great study spot and some amazing views. The 7th floor of Alter Hall has floor to ceiling windows that overlook the city and campus. If there isn't a conference going on (which most days there are not), the center room is set with huge round tables where people set up for hours to study and get work done. On the outer parts of the floor, the hallways have convenient single person tables and couches where you can set up to study overlooking the city. This spot is perfect if you're looking to get away from the Temple population, and enjoy Philly views!
Emily Gigliotti
If you love coffee and good vibes, this is the place for you. I absolutely love the Saxby's between Alter and Speakman, as I spend 99.9% of my study time here. Good music, good people, good coffee. What more could you ask for out of a study spot?
If you go to the 3rd or 4th floor of Tuttleman and go all the way to the end of the hallway, there's an area full of tables and computers available for studying. There's a ton of natural light and it is very quiet there. It's the perfect place if you like quiet study sessions.
Emily Gigliotti
This spot is a little harder to find seating, but if you do it's a perfect spot to grind. Small and intimate.
...and to avoiding major breakdowns in the process.
Finals season is upon us here at the University of Southern California. Libraries are packed, all-nighters are pulled, and excessive amounts of caffeine are consumed. In the midst of all the chaos and stress, how can you balance all the final papers, projects, and final exams? Follow these tips on how to (theoretically) make it through these next few weeks in one piece.
This suggestion may seem obvious; however, every college student understands the inevitable pull of procrastination. Really, start studying and reviewing early to avoid last minute cramming (also, because cramming is an extremely inefficient AND ineffective way to study and retain information). Even if it's only a few chapters, remember that something is better than nothing.
My friend taught me this during my senior year of high school and it is a lifesaver. The Pomodoro Method is a time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into small intervals (typically around 25 minutes) with short breaks worked in between. This particular techinque is effective when tackling massive amounts of textbook reading, and it will keep you focused and efficient.
Again, similar to starting early, turning off distractions is obvious but necessary. My phone, for example, is one of my biggest distractions and contributors to my procrastination methods (shoutout to the time I wasted two hours watching YouTube documentaries on my tiny iPhone screen). Regardless, whether it be phone or social media sites, shut it off or turn on "do not disturb" mode. Your grades will thank you later.
Although "finals" are synonymous with "all-nighters," try to get a decent amount of sleep every night (or take short power naps during the day if you have a late night). The quality of your work is stringent on the amount of sleep you've acquired the night prior; so, do yourself a favor and avoid stupid mistakes on exams by getting some more sleep.
Finals can really feel like a crazy whirlwind with little time to do anything else but grind. Even in light of this, take some time to practice mindfulness--whether it be jotting down a quick journal entry or going on a run at the gym. These breaks will refresh your mind and prepare you to tackle the next major assignment or study guide on your to-do list. Doing well may be important, but so is your mental health.
Take care of yourself, and go crush these last few weeks of first semester!
Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin.'
Ahh, finals week, for some this is their last round of finals before they graduate and for others, it's just the beginning. Whatever the case may be finals are stressful. They also come with a lot of mental breakdowns and coffee runs.
I can't stop your coffee runs but as for the mental breakdowns, one pop star can help with after each text, slide, and notecard Ariana Grande.
Ariana has been through a lot and this woman still managed to Break free from the chaotic thing called life. And you too will make it through this week!
First step: "just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin'" but please don't hyperventilate. I know everything feels like its all coming down at once, but you have to take a moment to breathe and take it to step by step. Nothing good comes out of cramming too much information in your head in such little time.
You "ain't got no tears left to cry (so don't cry)", yes it's perfectly okay to cry it all out. Let it out, but don't let the crying last you hours that leave your paper are drenched and unintelligible. It's okay to cry but it's not okay to be in that stage for hours on end when you can be studying. Take a moment to wipe the tears off your face and do things in increments. Crying can leave you emotionally and physically weak. Cheer up by listening to music, talking with friends, Snapchating or even watching a funny video.
When it comes to finals and friends you have "Got no games to play"; it can be really easy to get distracted and not manage your time correctly. You have to keep in your head "I know what I came to do, And that ain't gonna change", so before you agree to plans have you scheduled enough time for studying?
Having a phone next to you is hard when it comes to studying for finals. That vibrating and led light is going to cause you to lose focus. But as Ariana Grande would say you need to "FOCUS". This is not the time to slip on grades because for some this can either make or break you.
"These friends keep talkin' way too much, Say I should give you up" True friends are not going to judge you for studying a lot, friends will point out if you are in overdrive mode and recommend you to take a small break but will not negatively influence your studies.
If you had a friend who already took the final you can say "tell me something, I need to know", as long as you're not asking for ANSWERS. You want to avoid going against the Honor Code because punishment in Universities is harsh. Keep in mind that tests change and you want to KNOW the material not memorize. You might think "So what do I do if I can't figure it out? {Well]You got to try, try, try again" and most professors have office hours open for questions. And if they don't be sure to seek tutoring somewhere on campus.
As finals weeks continues you are knocking a final out each day making you feel like "I got one less problem without ya" when you're done with final move on to the next. Though you have one less problem now, you still have a couple more to study for.
Finally "if you want it, take it", if you really want something you are going to have to push yourself to get it. Putting in little to no effort is not going to help you pass your finals. To get through finals week you also have to make sure you are there to take your final and don't show up late!
And after all your finals are done you can't help but sing "Thank You, Next".
