How to Stay Calm During Finals Week

May 5 2011, 1:40pm

It’s that time of year. We all know about it, and we all dread it coming; finals week. Students spend weeks and weeks prior going over notes, consume one or two cups of coffee more than usual, and cram for countless hours at the library. Finals week can be both a stressful and overwhelming time for students, especially when your grade and GPA are on the line. Here is some advice to keep you calm and get you prepared before, during and after finals week. Before Finals Week

Before finals week, there are four questions you need to answer: How many exams do I have? Read your syllabus ahead of time to find out which classes require you to take a final and which classes the final is optional. What structure is each final? Every professor likes to administer a final in his or her own unique way. The two most common formats include a comprehensive format, which covers material over the entire semester, and a partial final, which includes material from a certain period of time. What notes do I need to collect before hand? After answering question two, you can now begin gathering relevant notes, homework, class lectures and any group discussions you’ll need to prepare yourself to be successful. Where and when is my final? Note what time each final is and go find the physical location before hand, so you’re not swarming around campus minutes before your final. This may be obvious for many of you, however, it’s a detail that some overlook.   During Finals Week Get some sleep Your finals are designed to make you think and clearly show that you understand the material. When you don’t get at least six hours of sleep, your mind tends to lose focus, which is something you don’t want during a final. Block out time to sleep so your mind can retain the information you studied for and increase your focus. Eat a good breakfast On the day of your final, make sure to eat a good breakfast so that you are alert and awake. Our very passionate web developer and nutrition nut, Clifton King, recommends having 1 cup of coffee, 3-4 scrambled eggs with nuts (almonds, cashews, macadamia, or walnuts) for breakfast to get a healthy start and give you energy for the day. Take a break Studying for an overwhelming period of time can have a serious strain on your brain and focus. Schedule a time to take a break so your brain can digest the information you studied. Some ideas are heading to the gym for a quick workout, watching some TV, or just simply going outside for a bit and walking around campus. Find a place where you can focus Distractions are everywhere and it seems that many distractions just happen to occur when you’re about to start studying for a final or in the middle of a study session. Find a place on a campus where you know you’ll be focused and have the least amount of distractions around you. Think about it, you need to be in a place where you can concentrate and not get off on different tangents before an important exam.   After Finals Week Relax, replenish and enjoy your vacation. Now that finals are over, worry less about the outcomes and start getting back to your normal everyday routine. Many students head back home after finals, but I suggest spending a couple of days with your friends to celebrate the end of the semester, then head back home. Regroup yourself and enjoy your vacation, but be ready for the upcoming semester. For those graduating, remember to celebrate with everyone that got you to where you are today and brace yourself for the real world (in case you’re looking for a job, OrgSync is Hiring!). We wish you the best of luck on your finals! What do you do to prepare for this hectic time on campus?