I can imagine it's about that time for the stress levels to dramatically increase; the amount of coffee consumed will quadruple; the notes and paperwork will be dispersed across the desk and the floor and the futon; who knows, we'll be curled into the fetal position crying while our moms are trying to calm us down over the phone. Oh, maybe that's just me.
Well I am here today to (hopefully) give you some helpful advice about prepping for your finals. Shall we begin? No? Okay, well I guess I won't write this post then...
Okay, seriously Amanda, don't tease the desperate readers.
BEFORE THE TEST
(1) Go Somewhere Quiet:
Whether you're studying with a group or going solo, don't go to a noisy location. Libraries, lounges or cozy coffee shops will be your best friend. I don't suggest studying in your room. There will be too many distractions, plus, you don't want to associate your room as a study space, you want your room to be somewhere to relax.
(2) Read Out Loud:
You are more likely to retain the information you are studying by reading out loud. Repeat important information several times to make it stick. You need to hear information multiple times for it to be instilled. Also, pacing helps you to comprehend information.
(3) Take Breaks:
You could listen to some music, watch a bit of Netflix, write a blog post, whatever you find enjoyable. Taking frequent breaks helps the brain to process what you've studied, and will also help you relax. If you study for 4 hours straight, your brain will become tired and it will be unlikely for you to retain anything.
(4) Physical Activity:
Doing physical activity, I recently found out, seriously helps with anxiety. It helps to clear the brain temporarily and rids you of your stress. By "physical activity", I don't mean you have to go to the gym and lift 300 pound weights or run a marathon. Go ahead and do that if that's your cup of tea, but I know that's not for everyone. Light exercise such as yoga, walking, or stretching will help with stress too. If you can't brave the cold, just walk in your building: do some lunges, do a round or two of stairs, or just walk up and down the halls.
(5) Drink Water:
Drinking water will keep you hydrated and awake. Yes, coffee and Red Bull will give you that burst of energy, but you may get the jitters or crash which will distract you from studying.
(6) Stay Organized:
When you have a lot on your plate, it is best to stay organized and have a well-planned schedule. Keep an agenda with important deadlines and dates and times of tests. Mine is color-coordinated by class so I can keep track of assignments for each course.
Writing to do lists are also helpful. If you need to write important tasks just for one day, an agenda can look a bit overwhelming. Just write out what you need to accomplish on a separate piece of paper and check things off as you complete them.
Post-It Notes are your friends! If you have to keep reminders of papers that need to be printed, people you need to call back, or other random tasks that you need to do, Post-It Notes are nice to just stick on your calendar. Plus, it's super satisfying to rip a Post-It Note off the calendar, crumple it up, and chuck it in the garbage bin.
(7) Keep A Routine:
Shower, eat, study, relax, study, eat, relax... blah, blah, blah. Whatever you prefer, just keep a routine. You'll be conscious of time and be able to focus on studying when you need to be.
(8) Skipping Sleep is NOT An Option:
Yes, there is a lot of memorizing to be done, but that doesn't mean you'll get more accomplished by skipping sleep. Your brain will stop functioning at a certain time in the evening and you need to give it a rest so you can start fresh in the morning.
ON THE DAY OF THE TEST
(1) Wake Up At a Reasonable Time:
Wake up with enough time to get ready and eat a sufficient meal without having to rush. Rushing will cause unneeded stress and there is no need to feel flustered before an important exam.
(2) Don't Cram:
I'm sorry, but if you don't know it by now, there's no point.
(3) Actually Get Ready:
By no means do you have to look like you're going on the red carpet, but there are studies that prove that if students shower and make themselves look presentable, they will be more awake and focused on the task at hand. So try to put on a pair of jeans and apply some mascara and or even just wash your face. You'll feel ready to dominate that test!
(4) Eat a Sufficient Meal:
Like I mentioned above, eat a sufficient meal. It doesn't have to be a 5 course breakfast, but don't just eat a granola bar. Fill your stomach so you can focus on your test and not your hunger.
(5) Stay Calm:
Yes, it's a very stressful time (I have plenty of experience with stress), but you studied hard, you know the material, you can do it! I believe in you! Don't second guess yourself or your capabilities. It may be a tough subject but you will look at the test and say in your head, "I remember this, and that, and that too!"
But let's be real, you're taking tips from a freshman in college who knows NOTHING about prepping for college-level finals. Maybe these will help you with your success for the week ahead of us, but no promises. Maybe I shouldn't even be telling you this...
Good Luck & Happy Studying!
xx Amanda
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore
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