Ahhh sweet sweet finals, how we all hate you dearly. You can either make us or break us, which is probably the most stressful because a lot of us need a high final grade to get our grades for the semester up. Here is a list of things that may be helpful to get you through the final week of the semester... finals week.
1. Get a good night's sleep
Yes studying is needed, but if you pull an all-nighter, the test may be harder to take because you are so focused on that nap that you are going to take after this final is over. Go to bed early, get up a little earlier to study last minute things before the exam.
2. Eat breakfast
I remember hearing this a lot in high school, "Make sure you eat a good breakfast before taking the exam tomorrow," but I never listened until now. It actually is helpful. You won't be focused on getting food after a final or feeling an empty pit in your stomach which is also helpful.
3. Start studying a little each day once the professor tells you what will be on final or posts a study guide
When procrastination is your best friend, this is the time that you will start hating it and want nothing to do with it. Forcing yourself to study everything last minute is a horrible idea yet a lot of us will do it anyway and stress ourselves out way to much. It will also lead to a lot of unanswered questions.
4. Ask questions in the classes leading up to the final
Professors are there to answer your questions and help you understand the material. Look over the work and make sure to ask questions so you are not left with unanswered questions the day of the final.
5. Don't Procrastinate
We are all guilty of doing this, and it is probably one of the worst things you could possibly do towards the end of the semester due to the massive amounts of papers, last minute assignments and studying that are needed to be done.
6. Study groups
Study groups could be useful, it could help answer all those last minute unanswered questions you have or help bring a better understanding to the material.
7. Find a quiet place to study
Most people go to the library at the school for that, however, be prepared to sit on the floor during finals week. Most schools probably have an over packed library that is filled with students studying and all outlets filled so be prepared for the floor and go with fully charged laptops and phones.
8. Go to class
If you are like me, I usually try and save the free absences professors give us for the last few classes. Which could be a bad idea in the long run. The last few classes are usually when things begin to tie together and lead to material review for the finals which is never good to miss.
9. Relax
Finals are stressful and yeah studying a lot should be a thing however, you need to give your brain a rest. All that material is not going to be memorized after having your face glued to notes and text material. Taking a break and going outside is a good thing to do, it will help relax yourself.
10. Study guides
Making a study guide or using flashcards is always useful. Writing the material and then testing yourself is a good way to keep the facts that are needed stuck in your brain long enough to get through the exam.
11. Skip the partying
Yes, I did say to skip the parties. Not going out one night or a whole weekend isn't going to kill you. What will kill you is that failing grade you could get on that final.
