How I’m Studying For Finals…
I’m about to enter the most stressful week of my academic year. As a senior in high school, I only take finals first semester. Usually this wouldn’t be an issue. However, I haven’t taken a final since first semester of freshman year. Yikes. It’s safe to say I am a little stressed. I thought I would share my tips for my fellow COVID seniors ◡̈ Here are my tips to study for finals!
Find a coffee shop with a peaceful study space. A coffee shop in my area is even doing a finals week promotion where you can get a latte for three dollars! Finding a quiet space outside of your room or home will help you focus and not associate work with relaxation spaces.
Take advantage of library study rooms. Most libraries have noise canceling rooms where you can lock yourself in to block out distractions and focus on your studies. They are incredibly serene and decrease stress levels while studying.
Study the week before and the day before. I’ve mapped out a study schedule for myself to study a subject the week before my final and then brush up on the study guides and lessons the day before my final. This way I can let the information settle and then bring it to the front of my brain for my final. A recipe for success!
Drink lots of water and get some sleep. It’s incredibly important to make sure you are taking care of yourself when you're stressed! I tend to stop eating and drink less water when I’m stressed, which only increases my fatigue. By allowing yourself to spend time with family and friends, eat healthy meals, drink water, and take care of yourself, you will feel better prepared to take on the day.
Know what subjects need the most focus. There’s no point in studying extremely hard for an exam that you don’t need to study for. For example, I haven’t recieved a grade lower than a 97% in my statistics class this semester. At this point, I should feel confident in my abilities and spend more time on the subjects that need a bit more work.
Make sure to unwind after studying. Watch a movie, take a bath, read, or do something that will help you destress after all the time you’ve spent studying. My favorite thing to do after a long day of studying is to watch a classic feel good movie (Tonight’s feature: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days). It is guaranteed to help you take your mind off of the pre-finals anxiety!
I hope these little changes will help balance your stress and make it easier to succeed during finals week! Everyone is different, so if these don’t work for you, don’t sweat it! Your grades do not define who you are as a person. Best of luck! Happy finals :)
xoxo, Ruby
