As many college students already know, finals week is a very stressful time of the semester. Students potentially have up to five or six comprehensive exams to prepare for as well as completing multiple final projects and assignments. "Dead week" is, in fact, the opposite of dead, but instead only the beginning of our bad eating habits and crazy sleep schedule. Many of us are aware of stress-reducing techniques, but we hardly ever utilize them. It's important to know how to mentally, physically and emotionally prepare yourself for finals. To survive the challenging week that comes along with preparing for finals, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.
1. Focus
Set your phone to "Do Not Disturb" and put it out of your sight. This may be difficult for many of you but without it, you can accomplish so much without the constant distraction of texting and social media. This tiny step will save you so much time and encourage you not to procrastinate.
2. Plan
Utilize your planners and make an efficient study schedule when preparing for exams. Write down specific times and each chapter that you need to study for each class. Planning ahead of time makes you commit and by following a concise schedule, you cover all material equally.
3. Time management
It's important to allocate your time when studying for multiple exams. If you feel confident and more familiar with some material, then spend time on other areas that need the most preparation first. Also, if you get a head start on your final projects before "Dead Week" then you'll have even more time to focus on studying.
4. Resources
The vast majority of college campuses offer peer tutoring, class work sessions, and even professors who are available for extra help. Don't be afraid to reach out because utilizing campus resources will help you in preparation for your exams.
5. Food
During finals week, always remember to stay hydrated and eat healthy foods. In the same amount of time that it takes you to heat up a microwave dinner you could pack a lunch with apple slices and peanut butter. What you choose to eat, will ultimately affect your study habits and test outcomes. Do not attempt to take a final on an empty stomach because most exams last for at least an hour. Before a final, eat foods that are high in protein.
6. Rest
Encourage yourself to take breaks and manage to get enough sleep throughout finals week. Pulling an all-nighter is one of the worst things you can do. It's more difficult to retain and recall information if you don't have enough rest. Be effective by maintaining a reasonable sleep schedule.
