After months of dedication and hard work,
your success (or failure) in a college can depend on what happens during finals
week. There are a ways to improve your performance during this stressful time.
Here are some to try.
· Verify details: Each college or university arranges its finals week
differently. Be absolutely sure that you know when (and where) your finals will
be held. Scrambling to find this information on the day of an exam will only
serve to increase your nervousness.
· Get sleep: During finals week, many campus libraries stay open twenty-four
hours a day. Pulling an all-nighter is one of the worst things that you can do.
Fatigued brains do not retain information, nor do they recall it well. Be sure to set aside
at least six or seven hours in your schedule for sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to things like memory loss, inability to
concentrate, headaches, and increased stress levels.
· Stay active: Exercise (like a short walk) boosts blood flow to the brain.
Exercise is a great way to work
out your frustrations. Another awesome way to get some exercise and de-stress
is yoga. If you don't have access to an
actual class, there are many videos on YouTube of specific poses.
“Just keep swimming; just keep swimming.”
(Dory, Finding Dory)
· Eat well: Eating healthy food is always a great idea. During finals
week, you may be tempted to eat and drink whatever items are most convenient.
However, the quick calories of processed carbohydrates will ultimately leave
you exhausted. Instead, eat foods that are digested slowly: whole grains, fresh
vegetables, and lean proteins.
Likewise, taking an
important test while hungry can be a recipe for disaster. Eating well is really
important during those times when you need extra brain power. Fresh fruits and vegetables are easy to prepare, and are
high in fiber, so they'll keep you feeling fuller longer.
If you're hungry,
you'll be less productive and won't be able to concentrate,
so setting aside a half hour or so to nourish yourself will actually save you
time in the end.
· Experiment with different study methods: If you have more than one final, you might be planning to
study for each in chronological order. Human brains are not designed to focus
for long stretches of time.
Plan to work on
an individual subject for an hour or two (and then switch). You do not have to
split your time equally. You will find that your retention increases, and the
repetition that comes from revisiting material more frequently will help your
class material stay in your memory.
“If you ever think about giving up, remember why you held
on for so long.” (Hayley
Williams)
· Silence social media: consider
using social media as a reward. Check in on Facebook
for fifteen minutes before going to bed (or during your downtime). Be aware of
the just for a moment syndrome. Checking news headlines can lead to an entire
afternoon of watching hilarious cat videos and reading celebrity gossip.
Turn off your cell phone, leave your iPad at home,
and focus on what you have to accomplish, and not on the people sitting next to you. My absolute favorite
free application for eliminating distractions is SelfControl.
This app allows you
to block websites, like Facebook and Twitter for a period of time. Until that
time is up, there's absolutely no way to access websites on your block list.
·
Stick to a schedule: If
I didn't write all my exam schedules down in my planner, I'd never be able to
keep everything straight. It's never a good idea to try to cram too much
information into your mind in a short time frame. You probably aren't going to
retain most of it. Planning out exactly what you are doing and when will keep
you from feeling overwhelmed
“The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.” (Albert Einstein)
· Carve out time for yourself: Downtime is essential if you want to keep your sanity during the stress of finals week. Taking breaks will give your mind a chance to clear, and you'll be able to start studying again with renewed energy.
· Try aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is great for alleviating tension. Peppermint and eucalyptus scents are said to help with your mental state and to increase focus and memory. Lavender, sandalwood, rosemary and chamomile have a calming, relaxing effect.
· Take tea time: Tea seems to have calming powers. Too much caffeine isn't healthy. It can have a negative effect on your studying. Caffeinated teas have less caffeine than coffee and energy drinks. They pack enough energy to get you through late night study sessions.
“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you, and strive to be the best however hard the path. Aim high, [and] behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist [because] the world needs all you can give.” (E. O. Wilson)[i]
[i] This post was adapted from the following sources:
· “9 Ways to Stay Sane During Finals Week” by Sarah
This topic was suggested by my college-aged daughter, Allena Kinker
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