By: Leanne Bassi
So far, I have had over ten finals weeks in my undergraduate experience.
I’VE SURVIVED TEN WEEKS OF CRAZINESS, STRESS, AND QUESTIONING MY PURPOSE IN LIFE.
In those weeks, I’ve learned many helpful tips to acing finals and keeping your stress level down. So, in honor of my ten finals weeks, I have decided to share ten tips that I believe helped me to survive this far with a little more than slice of sanity.
1. PHONE A FRIEND (Or in my case, mom)
I don’t know about your people, but my people are my number one fans. Whenever I feel down I call my mom or best friend and they help me straighten everything out. During finals week if you are lost call someone you are close to, even if it is just to rant for five minutes. While the homework, papers, and tests will still be there, you will feel a little bit of relief and motivation.
2. COFFEE 4 DAYZ!
If you are going to drink caffeine, drink coffee. The reason I’m saying this is because it is natural. Honestly, I do not trust that other stuff. Once I was trying to cram for finals, I took one of those 5-hour energy drinks and thought I was going to have a heart attack. It’s not worth it. #BeNatural
3. “YOU GOTTA EAT!”
But for real… you gotta eat! Your mind and body start to shut down when you do not eat and that is no good.
4. HIT THE HAY/ HIT THE SACK!
Look... sometimes you just have to sleep. No matter how cool you are, no matter how much of a G you are, as you get older sleep is a must. Do not deprive yourself. Take nap if you cannot concentrate, and then get up and study. Set alarms, have your mom call you, sleep sitting up. Do whatever you have to do so that you do not sleep the day away, but by all means rest those eyes when necessary.
5. “BURR, IT’S COLD IN HERE!”
Cold weather forces you to wake up. So in desperate times I have sat in my freezing car, in the winter, at 3 a.m. studying. I am not trying to brag, but I killed those finals. Not encouraging anyone to procrastinate or cram, but sometimes that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Go outside for a bit or turn up the AC in your place. That A will be worth it.
6. “ONE STEP AT A TIME, THERE’S NO NEED TO RUSH.”
But honestly, you have heard this a million times, take it one assignment at a time. There is absolutely not need to stress yourself out even more. Finish the assignment that is due the soonest, then on to the next one.
7. PROOFREAD!
Please, please, please try to have someone proofread your papers. They do not have to be an expert; they just need to have another set of eyes. Sometimes we do not see our own mistakes. I always bug my best friend to read my papers because she has nothing better to do. OH and because she was a journalism major and is an awesome writer.
8. WORK IT OUT!
Science shows that working out is good for you. So, take a break and move those glutes! You cannot sit and study for a thousand hours, you will not remember it all. So, do it in increments. I suggest physical activity in between to help you lose that freshman 15.
9. TURN IT OFF!
Say bye-bye to social media while you are studying, it is just a distraction. I would suggest turning your phone off, but if your mom is like mine she will freak out it you do not answer. So, minimize your interruptions by logging off!
10. THE MONKS KNOW BEST!
Lastly, remember everything is temporary. While I was in Japan I got to live in a monastery. One day while meditating with one of the monks he said, “You just have to remember everything is temporary.” That really stuck with me. Every emotion/feeling we have will not last forever-the good, bad, and stressful. So, you have to embrace it. Know nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass.
So far, I have had over ten finals weeks in my undergraduate experience.
I’VE SURVIVED TEN WEEKS OF CRAZINESS, STRESS, AND QUESTIONING MY PURPOSE IN LIFE.
In those weeks, I’ve learned many helpful tips to acing finals and keeping your stress level down. So, in honor of my ten finals weeks, I have decided to share ten tips that I believe helped me to survive this far with a little more than slice of sanity.
1. PHONE A FRIEND (Or in my case, mom)
I don’t know about your people, but my people are my number one fans. Whenever I feel down I call my mom or best friend and they help me straighten everything out. During finals week if you are lost call someone you are close to, even if it is just to rant for five minutes. While the homework, papers, and tests will still be there, you will feel a little bit of relief and motivation.
2. COFFEE 4 DAYZ!
If you are going to drink caffeine, drink coffee. The reason I’m saying this is because it is natural. Honestly, I do not trust that other stuff. Once I was trying to cram for finals, I took one of those 5-hour energy drinks and thought I was going to have a heart attack. It’s not worth it. #BeNatural
3. “YOU GOTTA EAT!”
But for real… you gotta eat! Your mind and body start to shut down when you do not eat and that is no good.
4. HIT THE HAY/ HIT THE SACK!
Look... sometimes you just have to sleep. No matter how cool you are, no matter how much of a G you are, as you get older sleep is a must. Do not deprive yourself. Take nap if you cannot concentrate, and then get up and study. Set alarms, have your mom call you, sleep sitting up. Do whatever you have to do so that you do not sleep the day away, but by all means rest those eyes when necessary.
5. “BURR, IT’S COLD IN HERE!”
Cold weather forces you to wake up. So in desperate times I have sat in my freezing car, in the winter, at 3 a.m. studying. I am not trying to brag, but I killed those finals. Not encouraging anyone to procrastinate or cram, but sometimes that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Go outside for a bit or turn up the AC in your place. That A will be worth it.
6. “ONE STEP AT A TIME, THERE’S NO NEED TO RUSH.”
But honestly, you have heard this a million times, take it one assignment at a time. There is absolutely not need to stress yourself out even more. Finish the assignment that is due the soonest, then on to the next one.
7. PROOFREAD!
Please, please, please try to have someone proofread your papers. They do not have to be an expert; they just need to have another set of eyes. Sometimes we do not see our own mistakes. I always bug my best friend to read my papers because she has nothing better to do. OH and because she was a journalism major and is an awesome writer.
8. WORK IT OUT!
Science shows that working out is good for you. So, take a break and move those glutes! You cannot sit and study for a thousand hours, you will not remember it all. So, do it in increments. I suggest physical activity in between to help you lose that freshman 15.
9. TURN IT OFF!
Say bye-bye to social media while you are studying, it is just a distraction. I would suggest turning your phone off, but if your mom is like mine she will freak out it you do not answer. So, minimize your interruptions by logging off!
10. THE MONKS KNOW BEST!
Lastly, remember everything is temporary. While I was in Japan I got to live in a monastery. One day while meditating with one of the monks he said, “You just have to remember everything is temporary.” That really stuck with me. Every emotion/feeling we have will not last forever-the good, bad, and stressful. So, you have to embrace it. Know nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass.
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