Finals are here (or coming very soon).
That means lots of cramming, midnight snacking, afternoon naps, and too much stress.
If you’re lucky you’re parents sent you a fresh final care package, full of fruit and high-energy snacks that will help keep you going all week long.
If you’re like me, you got a phone call from your mother warning you that if you don’t succeed with flying colors you should start packing.
She was only kidding…I think.
But just in case you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, here are some tips to help you relax and approach your exams with confidence.
Eat Breakfast – Don’t just grab a granola bar on your way out the door on exam day. Eating a healthy breakfast gives you the nutrients and energy that you’ll need to concentrate on your day of test-taking and studying. The last thing you want is to be distracted by hunger.
Dress for Success – If you look good you feel good! So, it follows that dressing well on exam day will give you a major boost in confidence. Feeling confident that you can do well and believing you know the answers to every question will actually improve your performance on your exam.
Get Those 8 hours – It’s tempting to stay up all night cramming when you have three different exams in just two days, but that isn’t going to help you out. Do your best to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Getting plenty of rest will help you remain focused and conscious during your stressful exam week.
Exercise – Final exams bring out the worst in all of us. All of the extra pressure to do well and all that time spent stuck at a desk in the library will make anyone cranky. The best way to work off that excess stress is a quick 20-60 minute workout. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good, which will help you stay sane.
Review Your Syllabus – With so many different tests and papers due it’s hard to keep track of what your first priority should be. Make sure you’re aware of how much each test or paper is worth towards your final grade, and how much each class is worth towards your GPA. That way you can appropriately arrange your studying schedules.
Read the Instructions – Seems simple right? It’s common sense to read the directions. But mistakes happen all the time, and they can be very costly. So, make sure you’re aware of that half a page that your professor wants left blank, or the appropriate type of answer for each section of the test. Little things like that can save you a lot of points.
Check the Back – That last elusive question may be hiding. So make sure you look everything over before you turn in your test, including the back page. One question may be the difference between an A and a B.
