How to Survive Finals
Week
With finals week approaching us quicker than we could have ever imagined, here
are some tips to make sure you make it through the rest of the school year:
1) Breathe. It
may seem silly, but it is something many of us overlook. Too many of us spend
our time stressing and freaking out about finals instead of actually putting
that time to good use. Doing that is simply going to make matters worse. Take a
deep breath and stop stressing.
2) Get organized. You
are not going to accomplish anything if you are messy. Clean up your workspace
and make a list of everything you have to do. Keep everything in its place and
do not move it. Use a calendar or planner to write down the dates of each of
your tests so you can count down the days. Write everything down, no matter how
minor it is. This will come in handy when you forget if your biology test is
before or after your algebra final. Make a to-do list for each day so you know
what you have to get accomplished. Most importantly, follow through with your
schedule and to do list. Make sure you accomplish everything on there each and
every day.
3) Study. Make
sure you know the material on your tests so you feel confident and well
prepared. Try different methods, such as flashcards, note taking, and group
studying. Do not cram the night before your test, no matter how tempting
it seems. This will not do anything for you. Instead, start now. Most schools
have a couple weeks before finals so if you start now and space out your
studying throughout the next few weeks, you will be good to go.
4) Don’t get
distracted. Now that all teenagers have iPhones, iPads, and Netflix, it is
way too easy to get distracted by social media. I know it’s hard, but log out
of Snapchat. Quit the stalking on Instagram. Turn off your Facebook
notifications. With social media, it is so easy to waste time without even
realizing it. Avoid this by turning off your devices. If doing this is too
hard, give your parents or someone you trust your passwords and tell them to
let you go on for a limited amount of time after you accomplish something
(studying for one hour, reading a chapter of a textbook, etc.) This also gives
you incentive to finish your work. Your body will also thank you for this, as constantly
staring at a screen for hours is not good for your health. If you are able to
keep yourself focused and away from distractions, it will certainly reflect on
your report card.
4) Get some sleep. No
amount of caffeine is replacement for a good night’s rest. Don’t pull all
nighters cramming. Go to bed early and wake up at a decent time, and you will
wake up feeling refreshed for your tests.
5) Exercise and eat
well. Studies show that exercising releases endorphins, which help you to
feel more positive and less stressed. That is definitely something we all need
at this time of the year! Also, research has proven that cardio exercises
actually boost brainpower. Plus, you’re becoming fit in the process! Too many
people say that they don’t have time to exercise because they are studying.
First of all, this is wrong because people, especially teenagers, require
physical activity most days of the week to remain healthy. Also, exercising
doesn’t need to be a long process. I am sure you can take just 15 minutes out
of your day to go on a jog. All you need is a pair of sneakers, and you’re good
to go! In addition, make sure you eat well. Don’t eat too much sugar, (don’t
worry, an occasional cookie isn’t going to hurt) but make sure you are getting
your daily dose of fruits and veggies so that you feel as energized as
possible.
If you follow all these
steps, there is no doubt that you will ace finals. Whatever you are doing to
prepare, the most important part is that you feel happy doing it. Good luck!
Shweta Murali
