While most students would rather spend their time celebrating the cheerful holiday season, it is inevitable that final exams must happen every winter, making the most wonderful time of the year a little less wonderful. Even though finals week may seem like the worst, most dreadful part of each school year, it doesn’t have to be. By pulling yourself together and actually studying this year, you could make this winter a lot less anxiety-filled and stressful.
Set reasonable goals and prioritize – While final exams do count for a reasonable percentage of your final grade in a class, it’s not practical to solely rely on this test to get you your desired grade. If you have an 89 in a subject, it’s not impractical to reach for an A, but if you only have an 84, try not to get your hopes up. Instead, spend your time more wisely by studying for borderline classes. During this time of year, it is hard to put school first because you are probably burnt out, but in order to succeed, try to prioritize by keeping in mind that winter break is not far away.
Make an efficient study plan you can stick to – While planning out your study time, you should be aware of your procrastination habits and know how often you might need a break. The best way to go about making a plan is knowing when each exam is, how much time it will take you to learn everything, and once again, what your priorities are. By doing this you can schedule a designated time each day where you can sit down and focus on each subject, and creating one that you will be able to stick to is key.
Find the perfect study space – Having good surroundings while studying is absolutely vital in order to becoming successful in your classes. For some people, the quiet and stillness of a library helps enhance their focus, and for others, being in the comfort of their own room helps relieve their pre-test anxieties. Wherever you feel best, try to eliminate all distractions, including your cellphone and television, so you can give all of your attention to your work.
Relax – As someone who suffers from major test anxiety, I’ve learned that being calm during exams can make all the difference. When I go into a test nervous and afraid, I’m far more likely to do poorly than if I was calm, cool, and collected. Find out the things that help you de-stress. A few of mine are watching Netflix, listening to music, and taking my dog for a walk. By removing your mind from your work and spending some time focusing on just yourself, you are giving your mind the break it deserves.
Remembering these few tips will help you de-stress during finals week and make your life much easier. Don’t waste your time by stressing out for every subject — prioritize and then study the specifics. Hope you all have a great finals week and an even better winter break!
