8 Tips for Finals
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
The end of the semester is upon us, and so are finals. It can be a tough few weeks, but there are ways to lessen the stress and take better care of ourselves too. Here are my wellness and study tips to help you succeed during testing season!
1. Have a study routine.
Without classes during finals weeks, we tend to fall out of our normal routine, so it is important to establish a new one. This includes setting blocks of times during the day for studying and having a good sleep schedule.
2. Exercise.
For me, exercising is a good way to reset myself and take some time away from studying while still being productive. In fact, exercise can improve concentration and memory by increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain; that means exercising has a direct impact on studying too!
3. Eat healthy, eat food you like, and don’t skip meals.
Make sure to never skip meals, especially breakfast, and treat yourself to your favorite meals a couple times! Similarly to exercise, I find that taking time to have a meal separate from studying serves as a good break to both fuel your body and give your brain a rest.
4. Start studying early.
Start looking at your notes earlier rather than later. This is much more effective than postponing your studies until the day before the exam. Even if it’s just 10-20 minutes of review a day, it will still lighten your study load the day before the actual final.
5. Sleep a lot the night before your final.
This may be the most important tip, since sleep deprivation has a negative impact on cognitive performance. Definitely drink coffee if you want, but don’t rely on it!
6. Find a good study spot.
Dedicate a place in your apartment, a room in your house, or a public place to be your study spot. Make sure the time you spend there is for studying only, not scrolling through your phone. Separation between the places you relax and the places you work is important. This will help you get in the right mindset when you sit down to study.
7. Set goals and rewards.
Setting goals and giving rewards upon completion helps me to stay motivated. I find that setting mini-goals is more productive than larger ones. For example, “I will finish reading this chapter in 20 minutes, and afterwards I will take a break.” This goal more attainable and less overwhelming than forcing yourself to read a full book in one sitting.
8. Attend review sessions, just do it!
Don’t miss review sessions if your professor is hosting them! They are comprehensive and efficient ways of studying, and might provide great insight to the content of the final too. Also, be sure to go to study sessions that your classmates organize.
Good luck with finals, Trojans!
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