December is supposed to be a joyous month full of spending time with family and relaxing from school. For college students, the first week or so is the complete opposite. This is finals week, or as some students would say, "hell week."
Finals week my freshman year is still fresh in my mind. My friends and I decided to spend our nights in various break out rooms of the TECH Center on campus. Those nights included multiple runs downstairs to Starbucks and leaving at all hours of the night for exams the next morning. For freshmen, (and maybe some sophomores too), finals can still be a bit scary. Truth is, they are not as scary as some may think. Stressful, but not scary. These are five things I wish I knew before taking my first final exams last year.
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1. Finding a way to relieve end-of-the-semester stress is key.
I don't know about you all, but I can't function properly without getting my beauty rest. Sleep is my favorite way to relieve stress. Find time to take a nap in the middle of the day. Make time to get to sleep at a reasonable time. For some people, exercising, meditating, and healthy eating are also great stress relievers. Take advantage of whichever one works for you.
2. Talking to friends who are also in college helps tremendously.
A majority of my close friends from back home are also in college and dealing with the same problems as I am. Every once in awhile, I like to call or FaceTime them whenever I want to chat. Reach out to your friends from high school and see how they're doing. Catching up with them can be just as relieving for them as it is for you.
3. Professors are more than willing to answer any questions leading up to a final exam.
The days between the last class and taking a final are crucial. This is usually around the time when you start panicking because you feel like you don't know as much as you should. Don't be afraid to reach out to your professor for help. Chances are, they'll be more than willing to clear up any confusion or set up a study session.
4. Stay away from Netflix.
Last year, I fell into the "let me watch one episode of "Gossip Girl"trap right around this time. Not the best decision. If anything, it was a distraction from studying. An A is much more rewarding than binge-watching an old show. Do yourself a favor and stay off of Netflix, as hard as that may be.
5. If you're lucky enough to be a Temple student, there are puppies to pet!
Yes, you read that correctly. Temple brings in puppies for students to play with to help take their minds off of finals. Keep an eye out for an e-mail or tweet about it, for all of you puppy lovers out there!
Finals week is officially here. I wish you all the best of luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.
