Tests every day, cram studying, overwhelming lectures, loads of homework, and especially lots of coffee is typically what the end of the semester looks like for me. December is always a super hard month and is packed full with school work to complete, and it sometimes seems impossible.
Finals season is incredibly tough and always feels super stressful, but after 4 years of experiencing this fatal last week of the semester, I’m here to tell you it will all be ok.
As a senior in high school, here are 10 tips and tricks to get you through finals season.
1. Make to-do lists
Every time I feel overwhelmed with school, the very first thing I do is make lists. Lists are so much fun to write and organize and it’s so helpful to have everything planned out so that nothing important is missed.
I like to make lists of all of my assignments and also include when they’re due, as well as any upcoming test dates I have. This is such a nice strategy to ensure everything gets completed, and it feels so accomplishing to cross things out after completing them.
2. Don’t procrastinate
It’s so easy to push things back and wait until the last minute- believe me, I know! But, if you make sure to set a schedule and complete things ahead of time, your stress level will be a lot lower leading up to the due date.
Always make sure to prioritize things that are due first, but also don’t forget about assignments you might a longer time with. After all, they’re assigned early for a reason. Plus, getting things done early feels so much better in the long run!
3. Set goals
Sometimes it can be hard to figure out where to start, but also where a good stopping point is. Setting daily or weekly goals is something that always helps me because it helps set standards and prioritize completing important things.
For example, after making my lists, I like to tell myself that I need to finish 3 important things before ending the day. Goals to finish certain assignments and accomplish certain things can help you reach even bigger goals and help you become more successful in the long run.
4. Get lots of rest
Sleep is super important, especially during finals. Without a good night’s rest, I guarantee it will be a lot harder to focus, and that’s never a good thing and will cause you to fall super behind.
Of course studying is important, but don’t forget that sleep is what keeps the body functioning. Without sleep, there can’t be any effective studying! It’s always good to set a nightly routine and even try to get in the habit of going to bed at a certain time.
5. Eat healthy
Just like sleep, of course food is essential to the body’s every day functions. During finals, it’s extremely important to make sure your body is receiving all of the important nutrients it needs.
Make sure to eat three meals a day, and fill your diet with lots of fruit, vegetables, and especially water. Make sure you’re hydrating!
6. Study in groups
Sometimes studying alone can be hard, and many times having a group there to guide you makes studying a lot easier. By getting together with people who can help you with certain subjects and assignments, studying can be a lot more efficient depending on the type of learner you are.
In my experience working with others makes getting stuff done a lot easier and it can be super helpful to get insight to other study methods that my friends like to use.
7. Avoid distractions
A lot of times focusing on studying and getting stuff done can be super hard, but one of the things that has always helped me is taking a moment to put my phone on do not disturb, or placing it in another room. I’ve found that by having my technology completely put away, things can get done a lot easier.
While studying in group settings can be beneficial, it’s important to evaluate your study habits and figure out what works best for you, because sometimes eliminating any noises and people around you is also something that makes it easier to focus on the task at hand.
8. Find a good study spot
One of the most important factors of a good study session is the environment. It’s always nice to pick somewhere that makes you comfortable and happy to do work in, and by finding somewhere you feel at peace and are willing to stay for a long time can make studying a lot more enjoyable.
Sometimes the best study spot is at home, outside, at a coffee shop, or in the library. Everyone has different preferences, and it’s all up to what helps you work your hardest.
9. Organize notes
Organization is an incredibly important part of studying because it keeps the process from getting too overwhelming and helps ensure everything gets done. By organizing my notes, it makes it so much easier to make sure that I cover every topic and don’t leave out everything important.
Keeping supplies organized makes it easier to find stuff, and by organizing information I can always guarantee I feel ready enough to take the test.
10. Take practice tests
Every time I have an exam, something that always helps me practice and boosts my confidence are practice tests. These can usually be found online, and also in many textbooks. Practice questions are my favorite method of studying because it gives me the opportunity to test my knowledge and figure out what I need to work on.
Practice certainly does make perfect, and practice tests can lead to a perfect score!
Good luck warriors!
As finals week approaches, The Warrior Word wishes you the best of luck on all of your exams, and we hope some of these tips and tricks help you ace every test!
