How to Deal with Finals
December is here and for most of us, that means finals. Don't freak out just yet! I am sure you will do fine, I just want to give you some tips on what to do before, during, and after your finals so you can have the best time. This won't be studying tips as I find that so many other wonderful bloggers out there write study tips, and generally, they are all the same ones. (flashcards, highlighting, reading out loud, etc.) We are going to do this through topics and time periods, although truthfully they can all be mixed up willy-nilly.
| Before |
- Try to relax, there is no way you can do your best if you feel stressed.
- Make sure that you are actually studying it will help a lot, also as a given, pay attention in class.
- Know when your finals are, write the dates down somewhere.
- Clean your room, finals wreck havoc on bedrooms and you will feel much calmer if your space is clean. (Clear space, clear head.)
- Make goals, but not unreachable goals. Small goals are great, they make you feel super accomplished and they help you tackle the bigger items on your to-do list. Seriously, congratulate yourself for remembering to take a shower and doing your laundry. (oh and eating.)
- Prep. Prepare anything you are going to need for finals, finish any and all of the assigned reading (ahead of time is better than late), organize your notes, figure out what you are struggling with (check old tests). Gather supplies.
- Promise yourself relaxation days where you will only go over flashcards with a face mask on, or only listen to something studious with headphones while browsing your local bookstore.
| During |
Finals have begun, can I freak out yet? NO! Relax and study.
- Try not to cram, it really isn't the best way.
- Call up a friend to go over notes with, or call on a sibling or parent.
- Take relaxing baths with Epsom's salt and lavender (you can even read and study in the bath although it is not advised as water + paper = no good.)
- Directly before the exam try to breathe (in through the nose out through the mouth)
- While taking the exam if possible do some of the stuff you KNOW you know first.
- Don't despair if you come over a question that you are uncertain of, breathe again, you can even close your eyes and just take a moment. YOU'VE GOT THIS!
- After you take that Exam don't dwell on it, you did the best you could right?
- Give yourself a little bit of a break after an exam, do some book shopping, read a book, reorganize your books, bake something sweet for a friend or neighbor.
| After |
Rejoice! They are over and you can finally just think about break and all the books you will be able to read, all the places you might be able to travel, all the words you will be able to write, all the art you will be able to make. It is time to celebrate.
- Tell your loved ones how you did, if it wasn't so great they can join you in a pity party.
- Turn on your favorite music (Perhaps Christmas music?)
- Turn down the lights, maybe light a few candles.
- Pour yourself a fancy glass of juice (orange is really great) or another of those mugs of tea.
- Now is your time: DANCE, read, take another relaxing bath or shower, if people bring you joy tell them to come over, snuggle with your animals, start preparing yourself for the spring semester, get that book you've been eyeing, get that ugly but SO comfy sweatshirt out of your closet and put it on. Whatever it is that makes you happy do it. You earned it. And by the way, Congratulations!
| Before |
- Try to relax, there is no way you can do your best if you feel stressed.
- Make sure that you are actually studying it will help a lot, also as a given, pay attention in class.
- Know when your finals are, write the dates down somewhere.
- Clean your room, finals wreck havoc on bedrooms and you will feel much calmer if your space is clean. (Clear space, clear head.)
- Make goals, but not unreachable goals. Small goals are great, they make you feel super accomplished and they help you tackle the bigger items on your to-do list. Seriously, congratulate yourself for remembering to take a shower and doing your laundry. (oh and eating.)
- Prep. Prepare anything you are going to need for finals, finish any and all of the assigned reading (ahead of time is better than late), organize your notes, figure out what you are struggling with (check old tests). Gather supplies.
- Promise yourself relaxation days where you will only go over flashcards with a face mask on, or only listen to something studious with headphones while browsing your local bookstore.
| During |
Finals have begun, can I freak out yet? NO! Relax and study.
- Try not to cram, it really isn't the best way.
- Call up a friend to go over notes with, or call on a sibling or parent.
- Take relaxing baths with Epsom's salt and lavender (you can even read and study in the bath although it is not advised as water + paper = no good.)
- Directly before the exam try to breathe (in through the nose out through the mouth)
- While taking the exam if possible do some of the stuff you KNOW you know first.
- Don't despair if you come over a question that you are uncertain of, breathe again, you can even close your eyes and just take a moment. YOU'VE GOT THIS!
- After you take that Exam don't dwell on it, you did the best you could right?
- Give yourself a little bit of a break after an exam, do some book shopping, read a book, reorganize your books, bake something sweet for a friend or neighbor.
| After |
Rejoice! They are over and you can finally just think about break and all the books you will be able to read, all the places you might be able to travel, all the words you will be able to write, all the art you will be able to make. It is time to celebrate.
- Tell your loved ones how you did, if it wasn't so great they can join you in a pity party.
- Turn on your favorite music (Perhaps Christmas music?)
- Turn down the lights, maybe light a few candles.
- Pour yourself a fancy glass of juice (orange is really great) or another of those mugs of tea.
- Now is your time: DANCE, read, take another relaxing bath or shower, if people bring you joy tell them to come over, snuggle with your animals, start preparing yourself for the spring semester, get that book you've been eyeing, get that ugly but SO comfy sweatshirt out of your closet and put it on. Whatever it is that makes you happy do it. You earned it. And by the way, Congratulations!
Great tips!
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