Finals are quickly approaching, which means your due dates for all major assignments, projects, and papers are likely all stacked together neatly on the calendar. Before cursing your professors for ganging up on you, and before breaking down and sobbing in the library, take a deep breath and read through these tips for tackling finals like a champ.
1. Decide how you want to organize.
If you haven't learned by now, planners are your friend. You don't have to have a Lilly Pullitzer to keep your life sorted though. There are plenty of options out there, and just like a book, it's all about finding out what works for you. A Passion Planner , Mia Ellsworth , Happy Planner , and Erin Condren are all great options for different lifestyles and budgets, but also look into printing your own from Etsy and having them bound at your local Staples, or doing it yourself with a binder or using a disc-bound system . If a physical planner isn't for you, there are plenty of apps out there to help you out. OmniFocus is a great to-do list app and Fantastical is a nice alternative for the standard calendar app. There are a ton of apps out there, so look them over and read reviews to find one that will suit your needs.
2. Plan it out.
Once you have your desired organizational tool, plug in all of your due dates and figure out how many days you have to complete them. From there, prioritize them. Projects with a closer due date should be higher on your priority list.
3. Divide and conquer.
Take each project and divide it into smaller tasks. For papers, these pieces could include making an outline, finding sources, or writing a paragraph. For tests, it could be a simple as studying ten flashcards a day. Plug each task into your calendar.
4. Seek help if you need to.
After you lay everything out and know what needs to be done for each project, see what areas you need help with. If you have a math final coming up, find time before the final to visit your campus help center or seek out a tutor. By planning ahead, you know how much time you have to get the help you need and can make an appointment that will fit your schedule, rather than scrambling one day before your exam to figure out how to use the Callan-Symanzik equation.
4. Be realistic.
Yes, you probably can write that ten-page paper in one night if you slam a Red Bull and really buckle down for 6 hours. But should you? Probably not. Space out your projects so that you are never doing more than you can realistically handle. The goal is to be calm, not to stress yourself out.
5. Take a breather.
Sometimes, even planning ahead and sticking to it can leave you feeling out of control and overwhelmed. That's okay. Sometimes, you just need to relax. Go for a walk, or take a nap. Always allow enough time in your schedule to unwind, because that's the real key to staying sane during the most hectic time of the year.
To all of my fellow students, good luck on your exams, and may the curve be ever in your favor.
