As finals week approaches, I’m sure everyone is desperately searching for ways to stay on top of studying while maintaining their sanity. We all are looking for tips and tricks that others have used to survive, trying anything a “How to Survive Finals Week” article suggests. For anyone stressing over their end of semester work and finding themselves exasperated by exams, here is a list of 5 things NOT to do before finals.
1. Pull All-Nighters
It may seem like the quiet night may be the best time to get your work done, but in order to stay at your most productive, use the night to get caught up on sleep. Studying is all well and good, but exhaustion will diminish your performance on exams, no matter how prepared you may be.
2. Skip Meals
Finals week is a busy time. Just like sleep, getting some food in your system is essential to performing well and functioning normally. For the most part, having balanced meals is your best bet. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a tasty snack during your studying, such as a Cosmic Brownie or a serving of Cheetos. Sometimes, snack foods are a nice morale booster.
3 .Isolate Yourself
It’s okay to have less time to hang out with friends, but completely shutting yourself in for long periods of time can lead to mental fatigue. Take a break between subjects and go get dinner with some friends. Your mind and body will thank you, and you’ll feel refreshed when you get back to studying.
4. Skip Class
Professors do understand how busy students are in the last few weeks of the semester, but they are still having class. Many professors prefer you attend class, as many teach until the last day of classes. Some are understanding, and are willing to excuse an absence if you truly believe you cannot finish your work in time without missing class. Do your best to allocate your study time so that you aren’t missing class. Missing class is just more time you have to spend catching up on notes.
5. Forget to Relax
One of the most important things you can do for yourself to ensure your success is relaxing. I’m not suggesting you ignore your work, but extra stress and worrying never helped get things done. Keeping a low stress level will help you get more done. A cup of tea or hot cocoa is also a great stress reliever.
Finals week is inevitable. Everyone will be cramming notes, calculating grades, and working harder than they have all semester. Following these suggestions on what not to do, looking up tips and tricks, and asking friends for personally proven ways to survive will make your finals week less stressful. So find a quiet place, have a good meal with good friends, remember to sleep, and may the odds be ever in your favor during finals week.
