As the weather's getting warmer here in Blacksburg (finally!), I bet all of you CWIB members are ready for summer! The thoughts of hanging out with your family, reuniting with high school friends, and going on fun vacations have probably been lingering in all of your heads lately, but there is one thing standing in the way: finals.
Reading Day is just two days away! I don’t know about all of you, but this semester has flown by for me. Life is going by fast, and we all need to get ready for the fast approach of final exams.
I know this next week or so may be stressful for a lot of you. These exams might determine your grades and they’re going to require a lot of studying, but it is important to remember to take care of yourself too.
Here are 5 tips to help you do well on your finals!
1. Schedule Your Time- Before you start studying, ask yourself what you need to look over. Then, plan when you’re going to study each thing. Saying something like “I will study math from 1 PM to 3 PM” is vague. Instead, say something more specific like “I will study lecture notes from 1:00-1:30 and do practice problems from 1:30-3:00.” This allows you to stay focused on what you need to do so your mind doesn’t wander off. However, don’t stress over these time constraints. If it takes you 10 extra minutes to study exam 1, that’s okay! This method just helps you avoid turning 30 minutes of study time into 3 hours!
2. Take breaks - Your brain needs a break after studying for a good chunk of time! Stepping away from the books for awhile allows you to recharge and lowers your stress levels. Something I do that helps me is I treat breaks as a reward. For example, after learning chapters 1 and 2, I’ll allow myself to look at my phone for 15 minutes. This way, you work hard during a period of time so you can get to something more fun, such as checking Instagram!
3. Get up and go- Checking your phone or eating a snack are a couple of ways to take a break from studying, but I have found that getting up and moving is my favorite! Whether you take a walk around the library or take a stroll around Duck Pond, getting some circulation in your body is a good thing! You’ll come back to your computer feeling invigorated!
4. Get enough sleep- This may be one of the most important tips I can give you. Pulling an all-nighter or staying up hanging out with friends before a final exam are not the best things to do. Make the effort to study hard during the day so you can get a good night’s sleep. All of the information you studied the day before won’t be as accessible if you’re exhausted.
5. Be confident- I know without a doubt that all of you CWIB members are smart individuals! Trust in your abilities. You know more than you think you know. Study hard and take breaks, but try not to get too stressed. These exams won’t make or break your life, so don’t let the stress consume you! You got this, CWIB!
These were my 5 fast tips for studying for finals. I want to emphasize that different things work for different people. These are just things that work for me. Do what works best for you so you can ace those exams!
Good luck on your finals, CWIB! Have a great summer!