Use your resources
There are plenty of options accessible to students that often get overlooked. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use your professor as a resource and set up some office time where you can ask questions about things you are struggling with. Not only will this clear things up for you, it will show your professor that you are motivated and actually care about the class. Go to the library. For those of you who don’t frequent the library on a regular basis, there is no better time to start than finals week. You will realize you aren’t alone and will be surrounded by other students doing exactly what you’re doing.
Don’t go it alone
Sometimes you just don’t know where to start. Finals can be very stressful and getting started seems like a bad/overwhelming/unapproachable idea. This is why most students procrastinate and end up having to pull an all-nighter right before the test. Find a reliable study buddy or join a study group and get started! This will give you a fresh look on the subject and you won’t have to worry about where to start or what to study. It will also create a sense of purpose, knowing others are relying on you to help them prepare.
Have a plan
Once you decide to start studying, figure out what you know and don’t spend too much time on it. Getting this out of the way will create more time to focus on the things you actually need to learn, and it will save energy on re-reading and re-learning the stuff you’ve already got locked down. Creating an outline or list of what you want to accomplish can be also helpful.
Stay healthy
We have all heard that eating a well-rounded breakfast before a test can help by keeping you focused and alert. It doesn’t hurt to use this advice to your advantage. Staying healthy for finals week is important. You should be getting plenty of sleep (when you’re not studying of course) and eating healthy meals. Try to steer clear of the party scene so you’re not stuck nursing a hangover when you should be preparing for a test, project, or presentation. Stay hydrated (and caffeinated!)
