At this point in the semester, you probably find yourself spending more time at Weldon than at home. You are trying to meet one last set of deadlines, rifling through pages and pages of notes, attempting to get organized, (but sometimes procrastinating) and are stressed about how to get it all done. This can only mean one thing…finals are approaching!
Don’t freak out! Although it feels like there’s so much to do in so little time, trust me… you will get everything done. Take deep breaths (lots of them) and start tackling each course, one by one.
Here are some tips on how to give yourself the best chance for the final push to exams and then the summer vacation!
Get Organized – Time management is most important to studying effectively. Make sure that all of your notes and readings are complete and organized, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Try to get this done before classes end, so that you are well prepared to start studying.
Make a Study Schedule – Schedules are a great way to stay on top of things and to avoid cramming! On a day-to-day basis for a 2-3 week period leading into exams, allocate a time slot for each course and what you think you can accomplish in that amount of time. You may want to give some courses more time, so find a balance that you are comfortable with
Make Study Notes – To help you study, make a set of exam notes for each chapter/topic in each course. This is an effective way to learn the material, while ensuring you have all of the necessary information and aren’t missing any key points.
Go to Prof’s Office Hours – Many students are intimidated to approach their professors and ask for help. It is important to recognize that your profs are there to help you and want you to succeed. As you study for exams, make a list of questions that you have and meet with your prof early.
Avoid Distractions – Make sure you are focused and comfortable with your study space. As challenging as this may be, turn off your phone and avoid social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. that are distracting and can cause you to procrastinate what needs to get done.
Take Breaks – Your brain can only handle so much in a given time period, so make sure to take breaks and don’t over do it. Studying for too many hours without a break can actually be counterproductive. You don’t want to burnout before the end!
Stay Energized and Hydrated – Drinking lots of water and eating nutritious meals fuel both your body and your brain; it helps increase your energy level and focus. Keep your body and brain well fuelled by choosing healthy foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory.
Get Plenty of Rest – Although you might be spending all hours of the day and night hibernating in the library; make sure that you are well rested in order to push through each day. Sleep is extremely important for studying and being productive. You will perform better and your brain will function better with more sleep.
Plan Out Your Exam Day – Make sure you know exactly where the room is where your exam is taking place; you may want to do a test run if you are unsure of the location of your exam. You don’t want to feel rushed or get lost on your way to the exam. Wake up a little earlier to give yourself extra time to get to campus.
Stay Positive – Keep a positive attitude about exams. You have been studying hard and you know your stuff, so don’t doubt yourself. Go to the exam focused and relaxed; it is your time to reap the rewards after all of your hard work!
Good luck this next month! Remember that it will all be worth it in the end, so study hard, stay focused, energized and well rested and you will succeed. You can do it!!
All the best,
Lexie