Just in Case: Don't let finals take you down
Roseann Bertone
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Focus
How in the world can I stay calm with finals looming? I'm worried about all my grades and I have too much to do!
With the holidays come all the best things of the year: Christmas cookies, great movies on TV, snow (at least it's better than the Cleveland rain), holiday music, and of course...finals. Wait. Maybe I put that on the wrong list.
But worry not, for finals come and go and somehow we always manage to make it through. The most important thing to do to stay calm is make a to-do list. I like to break down my lists into very small sections, writing down each chapter I need to study for a final that encompasses a whole semester's-worth of material. I find that being able to cross things off early and often makes the whole study process more manageable. For me, the longer list also makes me study harder. Sure, it's overwhelming at first, but that little bit of fear and worry makes me study harder and be more focused.
A big thing that helps with finals is to remind yourself at least it's better than midterms. Midterms tend to be crammed within one to two weeks, with other papers and projects as well. During finals, at least we have a few reading days off and the university tries to spread them out. The key to staying calm during finals is to remember that you do have the time to get everything done you need to, it's just a matter of prioritizing and rearranging.
Another helpful technique is to get a calendar and a pack of multicolored writing utensils. Try to color code your time for each class, and, of course, a little bit of downtime. Break down your day to study each subject for an hour before switching topics, to keep from getting bored of doing calculus problems all day long. Every couple hours allow yourself a break:a quick walk to Starbucks or a 20-minute chat with friends. Just make sure you keep the break short, and don't let it take on a life of its own.
As a nursing major, I have to get on my soapbox a little bit about how essential keeping yourself healthy is to getting through finals. When struggling to get everything done, it's easy to cut out activities that take up lots of time: sleeping, exercising, and eating a good meal. While you can get by on two or three hours of sleep, it's not going to do the best for your grades or your nerves. Try getting at least 6-8 hours, especially the night before the final. A little bit of exercise can give you a burst of energy and a nice, productive study break. I've been known to bring a book to the gym and read while I run; the increased blood flow is said to make it easier to remember the information.
Above all, just remember that while finals are miserable for two weeks, you will get through it and have a whole month to sit back and relax, with nothing to do but worry about next semester.
With the holidays come all the best things of the year: Christmas cookies, great movies on TV, snow (at least it's better than the Cleveland rain), holiday music, and of course...finals. Wait. Maybe I put that on the wrong list.
But worry not, for finals come and go and somehow we always manage to make it through. The most important thing to do to stay calm is make a to-do list. I like to break down my lists into very small sections, writing down each chapter I need to study for a final that encompasses a whole semester's-worth of material. I find that being able to cross things off early and often makes the whole study process more manageable. For me, the longer list also makes me study harder. Sure, it's overwhelming at first, but that little bit of fear and worry makes me study harder and be more focused.
A big thing that helps with finals is to remind yourself at least it's better than midterms. Midterms tend to be crammed within one to two weeks, with other papers and projects as well. During finals, at least we have a few reading days off and the university tries to spread them out. The key to staying calm during finals is to remember that you do have the time to get everything done you need to, it's just a matter of prioritizing and rearranging.
Another helpful technique is to get a calendar and a pack of multicolored writing utensils. Try to color code your time for each class, and, of course, a little bit of downtime. Break down your day to study each subject for an hour before switching topics, to keep from getting bored of doing calculus problems all day long. Every couple hours allow yourself a break:a quick walk to Starbucks or a 20-minute chat with friends. Just make sure you keep the break short, and don't let it take on a life of its own.
As a nursing major, I have to get on my soapbox a little bit about how essential keeping yourself healthy is to getting through finals. When struggling to get everything done, it's easy to cut out activities that take up lots of time: sleeping, exercising, and eating a good meal. While you can get by on two or three hours of sleep, it's not going to do the best for your grades or your nerves. Try getting at least 6-8 hours, especially the night before the final. A little bit of exercise can give you a burst of energy and a nice, productive study break. I've been known to bring a book to the gym and read while I run; the increased blood flow is said to make it easier to remember the information.
Above all, just remember that while finals are miserable for two weeks, you will get through it and have a whole month to sit back and relax, with nothing to do but worry about next semester.
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