The end is finally in sight! Wahoo! With finals weeks approaching, you may be filling out those study guides or reviewing a semester’s worth of notes from your class. The stress is beginning to build.
Lucky for you, we got you and have some tips for making your finals week less stressful. Now who wouldn’t want that? From our list of 7 tips, select those that work best for you.
Tip #1: Schedule specific study time for each class
Your mind is probably thinking about all the different classes you need to study for. It can help to schedule specific days and times when you are going to study for each class so you feel more prepared for each one.
You can even set daily goals for what you want to accomplish. Now these days and times depend on how much you have to study for a class and even how much content will be on the final. Do what works for you.
Tip #2: Take study breaks
Our mind needs breaks just as much as our body does when it is under a lot of stress of a workout. Taking purposeful breaks from studying can refresh your brain, increase your energy, and help you focus.
You may be wondering what counts as a purposeful break. Anything that allows your mind to calm down such as taking a walk, cleaning, chatting with a friend, or making a meal.
You may notice that a break that involves scrolling social media does not give your mind the break it needs. Try doing activities that don’t involve a screen.
Tip #3: Limit distractions when you are studying
Have you ever noticed that when you are studying any noise such as a notification can distract you?
Maybe try studying without your phone close to you or the TV on. You can also try putting your phone on sleep mode and flipping it over. This can help to tune out the world while you study and allow you to use that time effectively.
Tip #4: Set up a space to work
Have you ever noticed that you are not as productive when you study in bed or on the couch?
To create a good study space find somewhere that is quiet and where you have a table to sit at; this can be at a desk, dining room table, or even the NAU library.
By having a desk, you can lay everything out that you need and keep it organized. You can even lay out some snacks to munch on!!
Tip #5: Take good care of yourself
If you want your mind to try and memorize all that you have to know to excel in your classes, then you have to give your mind the fuel to do so.
Our minds and bodies need food in order to function properly. Try eating regularly to fuel your body.
There can be a lot to study and only a limited number of hours in each day. Making sure to first prioritize sleep is so important. If you don’t get enough sleep then your mind can’t work properly and you won’t be very productive in your study sessions.
Getting some movement in each day can help your body to get some endorphins and not feel so sluggish.
Fuel, sleep, and movement – all important self-care strategies for finals week
Tip #6: Make it fun & reward yourself
Preparing for finals is hard work. Take some time to reward yourself for all the hard work you do. You can also try making studying fun by making quizzes or studying with friends.
Tip #7: Be kind to yourself
It’s normal to have some regrets at the end of the semester. Sometimes an exam is harder than you expected or you wished you had done things differently in the first half of the semester.
The negative self talk that comes with regrets isn’t all that helpful. Notice your self-talk. The things you’re saying to yourself – are those things you’d say to a good friend? If not, try to change the narrative.
College is a time to learn and grow. We’re all fumbling through just trying to figure things out. You did your best.
Instead of beating yourself up, be kind to yourself. Reframe your self-talk to things like, “Ok, not thrilled with how things went, but I know what I want to do differently next semester.” or “I did the best I could this semester with all of the things I had going on.”
If things didn’t go as planned, consider new habits for next semester like cutting back on work, volunteer, or extra-curricular activities, taking fewer credits, trying new study habits and visiting teacher office hours.
School can be stressful but the end of the semester is finally here! Try out some of these tips as you get ready for finals and see if they work for you! Remember, you’ve got this!