Finals are always awfully stressful for all students. This week near the end of the calendar year is one of the primary sources of academic stress and anxiety: over 30% of students named finals as their biggest source of stress in at least two surveys. They require some exam tips.
Here are some more disturbing statistics:
- Almost 70% of students get 6-7 hours of sleep during exam week;
- 20% of students get only 4 hours of sleep;
- Over 30% consume more than 3 caffeine drinks a day during finals;
- 0% of students didn’t consume any caffeine drinks the night before an exam (in a poll of 120 students).
Freshers suffer the most because they don’t know what waits ahead. But don’t be scared: all this stress can be avoided. Though it’s impossible to get through this week being calm and relaxed, there’re plenty of ways how you can make your finals less troublesome.
In this article, we’re going to share some tips that will help you get prepared for your first finals, save you from worries, and let you go on to celebrate holidays without regrets about exam results. Read on to find out more!
1. Start Preparing In Advance
One of the most popular questions concerning final exams is about when should one start preparing for them. Though there can’t be a unified answer to this question, the average time reported as being necessary to get prepared well is somewhere between two weeks and 4-5 days.
But it’s always good to start early. While sophomore students can risk trying to learn everything they have to learn in just 5 days, it wouldn’t be a great idea for a fresher to start that late. Don’t take unnecessary risks – give yourself enough time to get everything done well.
2. Don’t Forget About the Essays
You’ll most probably be assigned at least one academic paper prior to your finals or even during them. Juggling your writing assignments with other tasks may be quite daunting, so you’d better have a plan on how you’re going to handle it.
Ideally, you should start working on your essay early on: conduct research, make an outline, write the first draft, then write the final one, then edit and proofread it. Preferably, not in one day.
However, if you feel that the amount of work is overwhelming and you’re running out of time, the best decision is to find a reliable writing service to help you. A simple “write paper for me” request can make a huge difference. Not to mention how much time and energy you can save.
3. Organize Your Study Process
There’s no way you can get through this stressful week without careful planning. Time-management is key when time is scarce, so, even if you’re not a fan of making daily to-do lists, you really have to do it at least a couple of weeks ahead of your finals.
When planning your schedule, take care to leave more prep time for disciplines that are the most difficult or that you’re not too good at. Also, leave sufficient breaks to relax and recharge your batteries. Remember that there should be some time left for rest during finals, however hectic this week maybe.
4. Use Technology to Your Benefit
In our age of developed technology, preparing for exams has become easier than ever before. Today, there’s a multitude of apps and platforms that can help you find any information you need and organize it any way you like.
Here are just a few of the ideas on how technology can be used to your benefit during exam preparation:
- Make flashcards with Quizlet or StudyBlue and study anything on the go via a smartphone app;
- Create mind maps with GoConqr or Coggle or any other tool that you like;
- Watch instructional videos on YouTube or Khan Academy or any other educational platform;
- Make notes while you prepare and structure them using Evernote or its analog, etc.
5. Beat the Procrastination
Above all, you have to avoid procrastination, since it’s a time and productivity killer #1. Of course, it’s easier said than done, especially when you have such a daunting perspective ahead of you as your finals. So, this task requires dedication.
If you’re unable to control your procrastination, use some outside help: set limits for your time on social media, ask friends and relatives to remind you that you should be preparing for your exams, eliminate all distractions while you study. It may be difficult to do, but it’s certainly worth it in the end!
Wrapping Up
Exam week is always hectic, so don’t expect anything else – you just have to embrace it. However, it can be made much easier if you don’t neglect proper preparation and follow the above exam tips. So, be wise and don’t just go with the flow. Remember: the better you prepare, the easier the exams get!
