Seven Tips to Help You Survive Finals


Finals are approaching faster than the bed intruder in Lincoln Park, which means you will be writing papers and studying around the clock. Here are a few things you might want to consider doing while you tackle your final assignments.

1. HIT THE GYM

You might think that you have no time to do anything but study, but with all the time you waste on Facebook, Twitter, ESPN, and gossip websites, you could be doing more productive things with your life. Taking an hour to hit the gym, crush some weights, and get in some valuable cardio is a great way to alleviate stress and recharge your batteries. Working out releases endorphins that boost your energy and increase brain activity.

2. STOCK UP ON YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS

Very few people can hunker down and work all day without interruption. Sometimes it’s better to close the books and relax for a little while. What better way to break from studying than an episode of your favorite television show? How can you go wrong with this? Study for a few hours then watch an episode or two. At that rate you can potentially bushwhack through an entire season of great TV without even trying.

3. MANAGE YOUR EXAM SCHEDULE

We are all guilty of poor exam schedule management. For instance you might have a big exam or paper due on the first day then a couple more exams in the following days. You take three or four days to study for the first exam/write your paper then have a day to study for two exams. Although it is difficult to avoid a pitfall like this, do your best to prioritize and allocate time to the more important things on your exam schedule.

4. EAT CONSTANTLY

Studying on an empty stomach will make you do some pretty irrational things. You aren’t 100% focused on your work because all you can think about is deli meats and four cheese pizza. Make sure you stock up on tons of snacks before you hit the library. While cookies, chips and other irresistible treats are widely considered empty calories, you have to make some nutritional sacrifices to make it through finals.

5. BREAK AWAY FROM FRIENDS

Stay away from your friends, if possible. Unless they are taking the same exam or are uber intelligent, you’re better off studying in a quiet area by yourself. While your friends mean well, in the end your grades depend on whether or not you can focus during reading period. If you feel the need to hang out with them, meet up for meals or even a field trip to the gym. It’s essential to separate business and pleasure when preparing for your final assignments.

6. WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE A BREAK

When you think you’ve hit a wall, no need to stress. Take a break. Yes, finals are a time that challenges students to push through and study through the pain, but sometimes you just need to take a timeout and regroup. Sometimes you need to crawl from underneath the pile of books and looseleaf paper and get some fresh air. Trust me, even a two-minute break can do wonders to your morale.

7. CALCULATE YOUR GRADES AHEAD OF TIME

After scraping together all of your quizzes and tests from the semester, you whip out your graphing calculator and do some makeshift calculations. “I can get a 61 on this exam and still pull off the B+ in the class,” you declare in academic bliss. Figuring out how much (or little) effort you have to exert to maintain or improve your final grade is essential. Why study for two whole days if all you need is a C- to maintain your grade? You can use that time to study for a more important exam.

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