Finals week: the nightmare that haunts every college student up until winter break. It's a week filled with a lot of studying and brain cramps beyond our control. Unfortunately, with responsibility and finals comes the leech that is procrastination, sucking the motivation right out of us. For the sake of good grades, here is what not to do when studying for finals:
1. Netflix and Chill? More like Netflix and Study.
It is not the perfect time to pick back up on a whole three month's worth of shows you've held off on since coming to college. It's time to Netflix and chill with those textbooks of yours.
2. Sleep is for the "week."
And by week, I mean the week after finals. It's that time of the year where all-nighters are your new best friend.
3. Cats. So many cats.
Turn off the Wi-Fi because it's time to buckle down and study. The cats will always be there, it's going to be OK.
4. Oh, is it finally time to step foot in the university gym?
Yeah, I didn't think so. Focus not on your sudden need to get fit, but how much you need to focus on exercising your brain this week.
5. Wow, I really think I should take out the trash, and vacuum, and rearrange my entire room...
No, you should not. Although being clean is great, now is not the time to focus on putting your dresser where your bed used to be. It will be there when finals are over.
6. Laundry sounds like a great idea too!
You're going to be home for an entire month after these finals are over. If you were to take one piece of advice out of all of this, save the laundry for when you get home!
7. Well, my friend did say they needed someone to quiz them...
Studying with friends is a great idea if you know you can get studying done too, but don't just focus your time on quizzing them. Share the study time and don't get distracted.
8. I could be studying, But I could also be eating.
This is a tough one. I'm not saying never eat again, but you shouldn't focus all of your study time procrastinating with food. Just have a snack each time you study, but don't overdo it in one week.
9. Don't cry, you're almost there!
Save your tears for when the test hits your desk or even after you finish the entire week. Break is just around the corner; you've come so far. A wise person once told me, "It's going to be OK," and it will be—when it's all over and you get those grades.
10. Don't decide that now is the perfect time to buy presents for everyone.
I'm glad you care about all of the people in your life. So much so, that you're willing to sacrifice your entire college future by flipping through Amazon.com to find that gift Mom wanted instead of studying, but let's think for a second. You had all the time in the world to do this, so why do it now? Give her the gift of good grades this year.
11. Let me just compile a list of things I shouldn't be doing while trying to study for finals.
Personally, I don't recommend this one.
Good luck to everyone on their finals and don't let the idea of procrastinating take over your week of studying!