December 3, 2024 by

I remember getting nervous from the very thought of my first finals week my freshman year. Finals were already a big deal in high school, so how much bigger could they be in college? As I expressed my thoughts to a senior student in my hall, she gave me some advice that has stuck with me ever since. Now I look at finals without much worry, and I hope I can help you in the same way! 

Here are some tips to get your through your first college finals week: 

Tip #1: Finals week is easier than you think. 

No really, it is. This was the primary advice that my senior friend gave me, and it calmed my nerves like a charm. Think about it: you don’t have regular classes or daily chapel. You have more time to study than ever! At this point, final projects are usually turned in, which means the only thing left is to review your material. You don’t have to produce any new content, just practice what you know.  

Tip #2: Utilize the resources around you. 

There are so many resources that can help you to study. If your class is holding a study session, go join in. If you have classmates you’d like to study with, schedule a time to meet with them. If you want one-on-one help, visit The Cove. If you’ve got a big final paper to submit, visit The Writing Center. Don’t let the resources around you go to waste — they’re there to help you! 

Tip #3: Take 45 minutes on, then 10 minutes off. 

As someone who hates studying, this is a huge one for me. I could write papers all day, but tell me I need to study and my motivation evaporates, so managing my time to be as productive as possible is significant for me.  

I recommend setting a timer for yourself. Set the timer for longer than 30 minutes but less than an hour. For me, 45 minutes is perfect, but you are free to adjust as needed. During those 45 minutes, do nothing but study. Don’t touch your phone. Don’t chat with your neighbor. Just study. Then when the timer runs out, set another timer for 10 minutes (or 15). During these 10 minutes, take a break. A good break doesn’t mean doomscrolling or sitting and staring into space. Get out of your seat, take a lap around the lake, or flip through a random book in the library.  

If you’re studying with friends, you can all follow this format and then everyone can take a walk together and chat for a little bit. If you want a sweet treat, pop into Mom and Dad’s to grab some ice cream as a quick treat. 

Tip #4: Find study buddies. 

Studying with friends who can keep you focused and accountable can be a game-changer. The key is to find friends who won’t be a distraction for you. If you have friends who are studying for the same exam, go study aloud with them. See if you can teach each other the content. Being able to teach it is an indication that you know the content really well.  

Tip #5: Make your own study guide. 

Many professors will give study guides or at least indicate which portions of the material they want you to study. Rather than just reading your notes repeatedly, try reformatting them. I always handwrite my notes, so part of how I study is putting them onto a digital platform. You could also manually type out your notes into a Quizlet study set.  

Tip #6: Write it out. 

Just reading your study guide gets boring fast. After you’ve gotten an idea of what’s going to be on the exam, see how much of your notes you can type out without referencing them. Try sectioning your notes into different themes, topics, or ideas and practice everything you know. Then, go back to your notes and highlight the areas that you didn’t include. Hone in on those topics and try writing them out again. If you don’t enjoy writing, try speaking them aloud. If you have a friend in the class, you can swap and take turns reciting the notes to one another. 

Tip #7: Swap phones with a friend. 

Phones can be one of the biggest barriers to productivity. Grab a friend to study with, click on your favorite playlist, put in your earbuds, and swap your phone with your friend. If you have someone to keep you accountable, you’ll have a much easier time letting go of the phone and focusing.  

Tip #8: Change study settings. 

Staying in the same room or seat for too long can really kill your productivity. Every couple of hours, move somewhere new. If you need a big change of environment, go to a local coffee shop or library. Get some friends together and go find a new study spot. This way, you have a place to explore during your breaks, and you also get a breather from the stress of campus during this time. 

Tip #9: Treat Yourself 

Give yourself something to look forward to when you finish studying for the day. Maybe this means grabbing some ice cream, or maybe you and some friends can go to Bill’s for some donuts. Whatever you do, save it for the end of the day. Say to yourself, “I’m going to accomplish ____________ before I go to my fun activity,” and that will help keep you focused and excited.  

Remember: Breathe, it’s going to be okay! 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in: , , , , , ,