Finals week is arguably the most stressful week of the semester, right up there with midterms. It’s important that during this stressful and fast-paced week we utilize our time correctly to ensure we not only get the grades we want but don’t wear ourselves down with it.
If you’re looking for an outlet to help you prepare, then you’ve come to the right place. With a lot on our plates, it’s important that not only are we studying, but we are also aware of our surroundings and are tackling all of the right obstacles.
The first step in preparation is organizing your schedule. Start by writing down on a piece of paper or a device all of the future exams, homework assignments, and projects that will occur around finals week. It is important to keep a list of all upcoming work, along with the dates it is due. You are allowing yourself to keep track, stay organized, and always know when you have an assignment due.
As an undergraduate student myself, I know it’s hard to remember when I have work to do or an exam to take, so by writing it down, you are holding yourself accountable and allowing yourself to constantly be reminded.
Step number two is to break down your schedule. You are not going to learn or retain any information if you leave it all for the night before. Spread out your schedule if you know you have an exam coming up in a week or two, then spend twenty to twenty-five minutes a day studying. That way, you can still prepare for your exam but also ensure you are saving time for other subjects and assignments. It’s really easy to procrastinate around this time, but it’s important that you do not.
Create your perfect study environment for step three. I’m not sure if this is just me, and I highly doubt it is, but I personally cannot focus and do work in my dorm room while five other girls are there doing work themselves.
It is important that you surround yourself with a space that you feel comfortable in and that is filled with no distractions. I guarantee that if you lock in and study without distractions, you will not only retain more information, but it will also take less time since you are not being distracted the entire time.
Step number four is arguably the most important: to prioritize yourself. Make sure you are not only focusing on your work but that you are always making time for yourself and taking care of yourself, because you will not be able to put in all of your effort within your work if you yourself are not being taken care of.
Overall, finals week can be scary, stressful, and overwhelming, but it does not have to be that way if you are prioritizing yourself and setting yourself up for success. By following these four simple rules, you can put yourself in a position to be on the right path to success.