It's that bittersweet time of the year where we just have to get past finals to be able to enjoy an amazing winter break. We have to spend hours upon hours, wasting away miserable nights in hopes to cram in as much information as you possibly can fit into our brains. Too much time has been spent calculating the lowest possible grade you could make on your final to still get an A, and not enough time has been put into actually retaining the material you need to know for your big test. So much has to be put into finals week it is extremely easy to get overwhelmed and, as someone with anxiety, it makes it a little harder to study ad fully focus my attention on my finals. Going through finals with anxiety isn't fun, but it has led me to gather a few tips and tricks that help make the time a whole lot more smooth.
1. First and foremost, it's so important to learn to balance your time.
It's easy to lose track of time and push everything as far back as possible. Procrastination easily becomes our middle names and we finally learn what it means to be pressed for time. A simple way to learn to balance your time is investing in a planner that you enjoy using. It's crucial you pick one you know you would enjoy to use, because then you will be more motivated to actually use it. After I got my planner and started to make an effort to use it, I felt my anxiety levels lower dramatically. It helps you get a concrete visual of everything you have to do instead of trying to remember it all. (Plus, it feels really good to check off something you finish!) Another great way to balance your time is to set apart everything you have to do from each other. Spread apart your studying and review sessions on different days so you don't have to cram it all in at once! Taking your time and knowing you don't have to rush will calm your nerves and make you less anxious come test day!
2. Ask your professors what you should study if they don't provide a review.
It's really frustrating sitting down to study only to come to the realization that you don't know what it is you should be studying. Instead of freaking out and panicking over what to study, just shoot your professor an email and ask for advice! Who's better help than the person who made the test themselves? A lot of the times your professor will give you what will be on the test, as well as remind you of important key facts. It's a lot easier on you when you know what to study, instead of winging it yourself. Remember to ask them a few days in advance of the test! This will keep you less stress because you won't have to cram and it will show the professor that you are being responsible with your time.
3. Get a good night's rest the night before your exam.
Staying up all night is an awful idea. I repeat, staying up all night is an awful idea. You will spend the majority of your night freaking out over how late it is and your brain will be exhausted. You won't be retaining all the information you're studying because your brain needs rest! Plan your time right and do your studying before the night before your test. If you have all your studying done, you will be able to spend the night before your exam in full relaxation. This will let your brain take a break from all the extra work it does and it will be nice and refreshed come test time! Going to take a test when you're sleepy will only end up stressing you out more in the end. Go to sleep early so you feel happy and relaxed instead of anxious and irritable in the morning!
4. Look nice the day of your exam.
"You feel good, you do good." -- A quote that everyone should live by, especially on test days. I swear by this. The better you feel about yourself, the more you excel. So on the morning on your exams, set your alarms a little earlier and take more time to get yourself together. Look presentable, wear something that makes you feel good about yourself, and you will feel like a new person. It's so important to feel good about yourself because then, as a general rule, your thoughts will be more positive. This will give you a boost a confidence while taking your exam, as well as for the rest of the day!
5. Always remember to think happy thoughts.
This is the most important. Your thoughts direct everything you do. If you think in a positive, happy manner then you are more likely to act more happily. If you think bitterly and negatively, you are more likely to act grumpy and moody. This affects your test taking because it is better to have a positive attitude so you have the best mindset and work ethic possible. The worse your thoughts are the more and more anxious you will become. The better your thoughts are the less anxious you will be! You are the master of your thoughts and it's up to you whether you think positively or not.
Having anxiety is awful, and finals week doesn't make it any better, but I hope that these tips help you when you prepare for your finals!
Happy finals, my friends.
