For many students across the country, finals season is coming early this year. As a senior in college, I’ve had my fair share of late, stress-filled nights at the library vigorously flipping through my review notes. Tests are just one of the many stressors in the life of a student. However, there are steps you can take to make finals week go as smoothly as possible. Consider these tips as you head down the final stretch:
Study
This might be obvious, but one of the best ways to do well on your tests and projects is to put in the work. Studying is the best way to ensure you know as much material as possible ahead of your exams. It’s not enough to just cram as much as you can the night before. Space out your studying. Reward yourself when necessary. No matter what, make sure you put in work ahead of time and you’ll definitely feel more prepared on test day.
Get Sleep
This one ties back into the idea that you need to space out your studying. You must leave time for a good night’s sleep! You probably hear about the benefits of good sleeping habits all the time. One thing many people don’t know is that you actually consolidate memories while sleeping, letting you retain the information you studied the night before a test. This means the extra sleep is worth more than that extra hour of cramming. In addition, sleep keeps your energy levels up and prevents you from feeling tired. These are both important qualities that help you when sitting for an exam. The last thing you want is to be yawning and feeling groggy all day as you chug down your fourth coffee.
Be Confident
No one likes being anxious on test day. Although many cannot help the overwhelming feelings of test anxiety, everyone should try to go into a test confident. In fact, over-confidence has been linked to higher test scores. So, when you head into your final exams, remind yourself you have prepared to the best of your ability and you are ready. Boosting your confidence will surely help you from second guessing yourself on test day.
Overall, final exams week is a very emotional time for many students across the country. Keeping in mind these tips will surely help your exams go smoother.
;)
