10 tips to maintain your sanity during finals

Barbara

At times I find myself longing to be in a classroom rather than a cubicle. Then the end of the semester rolls around—finals week!—and the feeling dissipates.

During eight rounds of exams, I picked up a couple of studying tricks and some methods to keep the "finals crazies" at bay. Here are some tips that helped me (and some that I learned from my own mistakes):

1. Embrace the anxiety. You're going to be nervous , that's a given. Acknowledge that. Use it to your advantage—a little bit of nerves can be huge motivation to study. Just don't let your nerves overtake you.
   
   
2. Find the right location. At exam time, the library (my usual study spot) became infected with students who really didn't comprehend the library code of conduct—i.e., not talking with your friends. It got me flustered, so during finals week I studied at the Newman Center . Quiet—plus, there were treats!
   
   
3. Sleep. You need it. In a desperate moment during my freshman year, I pulled an all-nighter to study for my "Governments of the World" test. Well, that didn't work out so well. In my sleep-deprived state, I switched the governmental structures of two nations in my essay. Eek!
   
   
4. Use study tools. During college I became special friends with two school supplies: highlighters and note cards. I always highlighted my books, notes, etc. in pink, but there are some different highlighting strategies  you might find helpful. And flashcards  are a great quizzing tool—plus, you can sort the cards into terms you already have mastered and those you still need to learn.
   
   
5. Make dead week  truly dead. If you're at a school that blesses you with a week (or even a day) of no classes in preparation for finals, use it! It's always better to study over time rather than to cram.
   
   
6. Take a break. You truly will go insane if you study nonstop, so take a 30-minute break every now and then to just chill. Take a walk with a friend, veg out for a while or call home to check in. A quick break can leave you feeling re-energized.
   
   
7. Grab a healthy snack. Caffeine and sugar aren't always the best options. They're good for a while, but then you crash. And during finals week, you can't be crashing. Instead, eat things that will give you the fuel you need to study .
   
   
8. Ignore the celebrating students. It's especially tough to stay motivated and keep studying when there are students who are already finished (and who keep reminding you that they're done). Don't get pulled in to their celebration. Stay focused on your studies—you'll get your time to celebrate, too.
   
   
9. Double-check your final exam times. Funny story for you. Well, not really funny then, but funny now. Junior year I missed my American Sign Language final. Thankfully, my professor let me complete the test later that week—which was especially understanding, considering that he had to sign all 100 questions again just for me!
   
   
10. Go crazy to stay sane. People get kooky during finals—it helps. I knew someone who re-enacted the Disney show "Fantasmic!"  each year for an audience. I used our sorority's "loud hour" to impersonate a bee while playing (what else) "Flight of the Bumblebee."  If you get your goofiness out, it's easier to be serious about studying.

I'm sure you have your own tried-and-true finals tips (or fun stories). Please, share your wisdom! :)