With finals rolling around the corner, students are frantically trying to get in the studying, finish essays, and put together PowerPoint presentations. Finals are stressful, hectic, and there never seems to be enough time to prepare for them. Here are some things that I like to do to prepare myself for finals week.
1. Make a Playlist
Things always seem to go smoother when you have some awesome music to listen to along the way. Last year was my most difficult year as far as academics go, so I was in the library studying for finals every day during finals week from 9pm to 12am. Needless to day, my classes were REALLY hard, but on the plus side, I did really well on my finals! And all the while, I was listening to music to get me through the material, and, let's be real, to keep my sanity. I actually had a few playlists that I would rotate so things never got boring. I had a Christmas, a Favorites, a Pump-Up, and an '80s Hits playlist, just to name a few.
2. Make a To-Do List
I find this to be one of the most helpful things that I can do to make finals go more smoothly. You have what seems like an infinite amount of work to accomplish before finals, and have no idea when you will have the time to do it. I will usually make a To-Do list because it puts all of the work that I have to do into perspective. This way, I can finish the more important or more fast approaching assignment first, then move down the list in order of importance (or some other criterion).
3. Plan Study Time
I cannot stress enough the important of budgeting time. When I studied for finals last year, I did make a to do list, but I planned it out for the week. While doing that, I set time limits on each of the things, that way I would have a study break here and there. I tried to give my self certain hours a day for each thing, but I am the type of person that has to finish one assignment before moving on to the next. However, I got things done in the time that I budgeted, and was able to take breaks here and there.
4. Invest in K-Cups
Coffee is my best study buddy. Last year, I was able to stay up eighteen hours a day for a week straight, but only with the help of caffeine. I say invest in K-Cups because some of you (myself included) may have run out of money for Starbucks two months ago. While the concept of the Starbucks is fantastic, limiting the amount that I can spend there is not. And so, I would use my Keurig a lot. The nice thing about K-Cups (yes, they are expensive, but that depends on where you buy them) is that they come in literally any flavor you can think of. Want a dark blend? There's a K-Cup for that. Want a fruit tea? There's a K-Cup for that. Even if you don't have a Keurig, remember that you are on a college campus and there are likely already ten people that have one on your floor.
5. Remember to Relax
This, above all, is the most important. Last year, I would spend all of my time doing work, mostly physics, into the early hours of the morning. Then, I would wake up for 8am to do more physics. I averaged about five hours of sleep a night for two terms straight. It was awful. So remember, you need to sleep! I make sure during finals week that I got at least eight hours of sleep a night. And let me tell you, after averaging five hours of sleep for a full year, that extra three hours is a Godsend. You should also remember that burnout is a real thing, and it has some nasty effects! Even if it means stepping away from the work for an hour or so to relax with a movie and a cup of tea, that is one step back towards sanity.
