It's the most wonderful time of the year! Finals and projects and tests ...
At this point in the semester, it can be easy to let the stress take over and just wipe away all motivation to do anything; leaving you like this for hours at a time:
Finals are by far the worst time of the year, when everyone becomes anti-social and locks themselves in the library or their room for hours at a time. They are glued to their books, notebooks and computer screens with headphones in their ears, music blasting to try and soothe the stress and block everyone around them.
Don't let the stress take you over because you are so much more powerful than the stress that weighs you down, no matter how heavy it becomes.
One of the things that I am most guilty of doing every semester, even though I tell myself every time that I will be better, is putting everything off until the last minute, and end up cramming.
I regret cramming every time, especially when I'm sitting in the classroom taking the final, when it's too late.
Don't be like me, and take active steps to try and start preparing as early as you can.
Start by making a list of when all of your final tests are and when your final papers are due. Also, don't forget to include the times!
Next, find the best place for you to study. It could be a lounge in your residence hall, your room, a classroom in an academic building on campus or even in the library, like most people on campus (just be sure to get there early to get a seat).
Put in a few good hours of work; you got this! Don't forget to take breaks for food and mental health. A change of scenery might not be a bad idea either after a while to help you stay fresh and focused.
A phone break every once in a while is fine, but don't get sucked into that Instagram hole. Remember, finals are about your textbook and notes, not what Jane commented on Ally's Instagram post 52 weeks ago and that BuzzFeed quiz is not quizzing you on the material that you need to know for the test.
The library also has lots of events going on, such as therapy dogs, a petting zoo, decorating ornaments, sending postcards to your family and so much more to help manage the stress and give you a good study break. Take advantage of an hour study break when you can.
You are so smart and you know all the material that you need to know. As one of my professors said this semester, all of the material is up there somewhere; it just needs to be accessed. The way to access that information is to not panic and to just breathe. Do all of the questions that you know first and go back to the more difficult ones later. You will get more of the test done than you think, and once you get going, stress will be a thing of the past.
Don't forget sleep too, as sleep is important. Also, after a certain hour, your brain stops absorbing information because you are so tired and can't think straight. It's best to get sleep and wake up early if you feel like you need to study more. While you're at it, you should eat because it gives you brain power.
It's almost over, so just give it one more final push and you'll be home for the holidays before you know it. Just remember, your friends and family are here for you, and as college students, we're all in this together.
