Are you a college student who is about to go into finals week?
Finals week can be one of the most stressful times in your life. You’re trying to study for hours on end, but it seems like nothing is sticking. It doesn’t have to be that way! We want you to know there are ways you can help yourself stay focused and calm during this time.
There are some simple things you can do that will make all the difference between staying up late studying and getting enough sleep so that when finals roll around, you feel refreshed and ready for anything. Here are just a few tips we think could really help out as exams approach.
This Post Is All About Tips For Finals Week In College
1. Avoid cramming at all cost
There should probably be a law passed in every school that forbids teachers from ever using that word in class. Cramming is the easiest way to get into cognitive overload, which makes you feel anxious, confused, and like you’re under a ton of pressure. It’s also a guaranteed way to bring all your grades close to the ground (if you’re not careful).
If you’ve been studying for four hours and have gotten nowhere, take a break. Having a short 10-minute break can help refresh your brain, which will allow you to go back in with a better mindset.
2. Take breaks during studying sessions
You’ve probably heard this before, but short breaks are actually a good thing when it comes to studying.
Our brains tend to get stuck in a state called “tunnel vision,” where we focus on what we’re doing so much that other things go by the wayside.
Taking a break can help prevent that from happening, and it also allows us to rest our brains a bit so that we can come back recharged.
3. Strike a balance between work and play
It’s all about doing what suits you best. If you want to take a short nap right before an exam, go ahead and sleep on it. If you would rather go for a jog or play some casual games to put your mind at ease, feel free to do so.
It’s important that you enjoy the process of studying instead of finding yourself in a stressful environment all the time. Why not try studying to your favorite song while you’re at it?
4. Set goals and work towards them
Don’t think of exams as a trial that you have to pass in order to get an award. Instead, treat them like a game: set up a goal (get 80% in the English part, for example), do the best you can every time, and celebrate when you achieve it!
Every milestone that you reach will motivate you to strive even harder for your next exam.
5. Exercise daily
Exercising has been proven over time to be an effective way of preventing stress and relaxing your mind. It’s also known for boosting productivity as well as helping with concentration and memory consolidation.
The best time of exercise for this purpose is right after you wake up. Since exams are usually timed, try aiming for a jog around the block instead of a gym session.
6. Don’t worry about your performance failing
A well-known quote by Benjamin Franklin goes as follows: “failing to prepare, is preparing to fail”
This means that if you have all the materials that you need and are able to achieve success, it doesn’t matter whether or not your performance will end up being better or worse than the average. In either case, the important thing is that you have done all you can in order to succeed.
7. Get enough sleep
One of the best things you can do to improve your concentration levels is getting enough sleep. Some people feel tired while studying because they have been working too much and haven’t gotten a proper night’s rest lately.
Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to boost your attention. Some individuals report feeling weary while studying because they have been working too much and haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in recent days.
If that’s the case with you, it might be a good idea and beneficial to study all day and into the evening but try and go to bed at least by 9:00 PM instead of going out with friends or staying up late partying. So that you wake up the next day refreshed and ready for action!
8. Be hungry for success
The best way to fight stress and anxiety is by getting rid of negative thoughts, like worrying about how you will do on your exams. Try finding someone to talk to who might be able to distract you and help you forget about the exams altogether.
This is also the reason why we encourage students to eat before a test or exam, as your brain can’t focus on studying when it’s in dire need of food.
9. Find out what works best for you
We already mentioned that you should try to find a method that works best for you, since everyone is different. This means that you shouldn’t go ahead and bully yourself into studying when your body or your mind refuses to cooperate.
If you feel like taking a break and doing something completely unrelated to school for a little bit, then go ahead and do it! You’ll be more productive in the long run if you take a break when your brain demands it.
10. Eliminate any distractions
There are plenty of distractions in our modern society that can make your life harder and make concentrating more difficult. Facebook, YouTube, Netflix – if you’re constantly checking your phone for messages or watching videos , it can be very difficult to concentrate on what you need to get done.
Make sure you don’t allow yourself any excuses; turn off all social media and focus on studying.
11. Improve your memory
If you want to remember the most important facts on your test or exam, you need to create a system that will help you recall them in the future.
By doing this, you not only memorize the material for a while, but also make it easier for yourself to keep it fresh in your mind so that when the exam comes up, you won’t need to cram and risk forgetting everything.
12. Make a practice exam (or two)
A practice exam is a great way to use your energy right before the exam and to get used to the format of the test.
It’s also a great idea because it will help you gauge your level of comprehension, which will give you an idea on what areas you need to pay attention to when studying for the real deal.
If you don’t want to make one you could ask your tutor for a copy of an old exam.
13. Live a healthy lifestyle as best as you can
This is more of a health tip than anything else. A lot of students end up falling victim to poor eating habits during this time, which can cause all sorts of problems: headaches, mental fatigue and an overall feeling of fatigue when they wake up the next day.
Put yourself on a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables (you don’t need to be an alien to eat them) and sleep as much as you can – try not to do anything when you’re tired.
14. Find a conductive study spot
This is a pretty important point. If you can’t find a place nearby that you can study for at least 2-3 hours, make one. Try finding an empty room in your dorm, your parents’ house, or even (if possible) outside. Make it as comfortable as possible
15. Get some help if necessary
If you find yourself having trouble with any of the points we’ve provided here, then get some help from from other student’s or teacher’s/lecturer’s on your course.
As you can see, there are lots of ways to improve your concentration and study skills for the next exam. Remember that the key to success is always being positive and not letting any obstacles stand in your way.
If you find yourself distracted or not performing well, it’s because you’re either exhausted or hungry (or both). Either way, the best remedy is sleep.
This Post Was All About Finals Week In College
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