As the days get warmer and the anticipation of summer vacation builds, staying focused on finals can seem like an impossible task. The lure of sunny days, outdoor fun, and the excitement of summer break can easily pull your attention away from schoolwork. However, with finals approaching fast, it is essential to maintain your focus and finish the semester strong. If you need some motivation, including tips and tricks to help you power through finals while keeping your sanity intact, keep reading.
The Five-Minute Rule to Overcome Procrastination:
Getting started is often the hardest part of studying. If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, try the “Five-Minute” rule. Simply commit to working on a task for just five minutes. Once you’ve gotten yourself going, you’ll often find that it is much easier to keep going. This technique helps eliminate procrastination by reducing the pressure of thinking about long hours of studying. Often, once the ball starts rolling, you won’t want to stop after just five minutes, which leads to productive study sessions.
Create a Productive and Inviting Study Space:
Sometimes, the environment in which you study can make all the difference. A cluttered or uncomfortable study space can make it difficult to concentrate. To avoid distractions, take the time to create a study area that is well-lit, organized, and free of distractions. A space that is both comfortable and conductive to focus will encourage longer and more effective study sessions.
Eliminate Digital Distractions:
In this generation, distractions are just a click away. To help stay focused, eliminate potential distractions by turning your phone off, including notifications or using apps that block social media during study sessions. Keeping your phone in another room or on “do not disturb” mode will help you avoid the temptation to check every few minutes. By setting boundaries with your devices, you’ll create a distraction-free study environment, allowing you to stay focused for longer periods.
Take Regular Breaks and Stay Active:
While it’s important to put in the work, it’s equally important to give your mind time to rest. Taking short, effective breaks through your study sessions will help you recharge and stay focused when you return to your work. Step outside, do some stretching, or go for a walk to refresh your mind. Physical activity, even in small doses, can also help reduce stress and improve concentration, helping you stay sharp during your study sessions.
Create a “Summer Countdown” to Stay Motivated:
The thought of summer can be incredibly distracting when you’re in the middle of finals. However, you can use that excitement to your advantage. Creating a “summer countdown” where you track the number of days left until your last exam or the start of your vacation. This countdown can be a visual reminder of the light at the end of the tunnel, motivating you to stay focused and work hard now, so you can enjoy your well-deserved break later.
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep:
Sleep is often the first thing students sacrifice when finals approach, thinking that pulling an all-nighter will give them the edge. However, lack of sleep has been shown to decrease concentration, hinder memory retention, and impair decision-making, which is exactly what you don’t need during the last weeks and finals week of school. Instead of staying up late, prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep each night. A rested brain is a sharp brain, and you’ll perform better if you’re well rested.
As we head into the final two or three weeks of school, it’s easy to feel burnt out. The weather is warmer, the days are longer, and summer plans are calling your name. Although, this stretch is more than just finals week, it is the last few assignments, projects, and class discussions that count just as much. It’s the chance to finish with what you started and prove to yourself that you can follow through, even when it is tough. Remember it is temporary, stay consistent, and give yourself credit for every small victory along the way. Summer will feel even better knowing you didn’t give up before the finish line.