I just began my junior year and so far it has been an up and down roller coaster ride. It’s that time where my classes are becoming more specific to my career and my grades actually matter. Of course, I want to say that all I do is eat, sleep, and school, but my life isn’t totally consumed with my studies. We all need a break here and there and I escape to my multiple extracurricular activities and weekend festivities. So, maybe I could have studied every waking hour of my life, but if I did, I would’ve burned out a LONG time ago. So give up some time for yourself because if I can do it, YOU can do it! Therefore, here are some tips to kill it, without killing yourself.

1. Begin studying the first day

Just review pre-lecture and compile your thoughts after lecture. Then repeat throughout the week, leading to exam day. That way, there won’t be the need to cram every single thing you have learned in the last 4 weeks in a weekend. You’ll save your time and be more proficient because you can focus the remaining days reviewing the concept you didn’t fully understand.

2. Get advice from previous students

What better way to get an inside scoop of the exams than students have taken the exam/class themselves?! They are resources. USE AND UTILIZE YOUR RESOURCES.

3. Study in Groups

They say you learn and retain better when you study with others. Especially, when you’re teaching back material that you have learned. You’ll really start to understand and be more productive bouncing ideas back and forth with your peers, especially since your peers know what you’re going through. We’re all in this together. We all want that A.

4. EAT

Don’t forget to eat! Your body needs adequate nutrition to function properly. Instead of grabbing fast food, go for the more fresh, whole foods. It’ll give you more energy to power through.

5. Drink

Drink alcohol? NO. Maybe after the exam to celebrate..not that I am encouraging it, but I mean to drink WATER. HYDRATE YOURSELVES. It’s another key factor to success because dehydration can make you feel ill and we don’t want that going into an exam.

6. SLEEP

I can’t stress this enough. Yes, of course you want to stay up in all the hours of night studying and cramming for a test, but odds are, you’ll only retain half of what you were studying. So, get your 8 hours and be ready to take in the exam with a clear, energized mindset.

7. Take a break

Seriously, this is the most importing thing. Give yourself YOU time. Go out, exercise, read a book. Just do something to get your mind off the topic for a while. Then, resume. You won’t hate yourself as much. Promise.

After using these tips, if you still fail, it isn’t the end of the world, but you need to pull it together. You have to change something about your habits. Find your strengths and weakness and the success will eventually come too. This too is a learning process and in the end you’ll get there. Remember..Cs get degrees!