How to Survive Finals Week: Our Top Tips for Success

Make a plan!

It may seem like a daunting task to plan out your final exams, but this is a vital first step. Note down your test date and time. Here’s a tip- if you prefer a visual format, use a whiteboard or bullet journal and color-code your tasks! If you want a digital format that you can access across devices, try an online calendar or to-do list app. Then, come up with tangible steps, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed. Instead of “study for math final,” say, “complete two pages of review packet” or “review Chapters 1 through 4.”

Experiment with study methods.

If you haven’t already, we recommend experimenting with a variety of study methods to find what works best for you. Do you prefer lyrical music, rain sounds, or silence? Do noise-canceling headphones help you? Do you like to snack while you study, or stay in the zone? Try working outdoors, indoors, in your bedroom, or at the table- keep going until you find your favorite set-up. Do you have enough light in your area? Do you need to chew gum to stay focused? There are also plenty of methods to help with focus and productivity, such as the Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on your task. When the time is up, take a 5 minute break. Stretch your legs, get a snack, pet your dog. Then, repeat three more times. After 4 cycles, take a longer break, somewhere around 15-30 minutes. Soon enough, you’ll find your perfect environment. Don’t give up looking if you haven’t found it yet! Those personalized techniques will help you prepare for exams. 

Take care of your body!

As you prepare for your finals, you may overlook your body’s needs. We suggest finding a way to tie studying into your chores and breaks. For example, you can take a walk around the neighborhood and listen to an audiobook for your English class. As you probably know, it is important to drink plenty of water and fuel your body with proper foods. It may be faster to grab junk food from the pantry, but taking some time to put together a more sustaining meal is worth it! Snack on berries instead of chips, and be sure to mix in lots of vegetables and protein into your lunch. If you struggle with remembering to drink water, then tea or lemonade can be a great alternative to raise your water intake. 

Sleep, sleep, and sleep!

During finals week, you may find yourself staying up into the early morning hours, desperately trying to cram information into your head. We highly recommend getting sufficient sleep instead. It may not seem this way, but sleep will help you in school. The Center for Disease Control reports, “Students should get the proper amount of sleep at night to help stay focused, improve concentration, and improve academic performance.” 

Trust yourself!

Here’s our last piece of advice: trust yourself. We know it’s difficult to remember, but you are extremely capable of achieving all your goals. We at Bright Owl wish you the very best of luck with your exams!