Let's face it: unless you adore juggling multiple, separate, often grade-defining assignments in a short period of time, finals week is brutal. Even as someone who often enjoys writing essays, I always find myself unreasonably stressed out. My finals have varied wildly throughout semesters, so it does seem like theres always at least one new thing to adjust to. Last spring, I wrote my first twenty-page paper, but I can vividly recall when a ten-page paper in my freshman year felt like a dissertation. I write this post from my dorm room, my roommate studying for her own finals on the floor beside me and my Japanese history notes scattered across the desk. If I was speaking honestly, I would say Im writing this blog post to procrastinate some of my studying. But if I were telling you what Id like to believe, then I would say Im writing this blog post as a much-needed break from all those hours of studying.
In all seriousness, while I still can fall into old procrastination habits sometimes, I have found ways to improve my study habits and work ethic when it comes to finals season. So, if youre like me and you want to lock in but you can get easily distracted or burned out from studying, here are a few things that I personally find helpful!
1. Spread It Out and Break It Up!
The easiest way to immediately drain yourself of all your energy and brainpower is to sit and stare at the same thing for a long period of time. Youll reach a particularly vicious combination of (somehow) both exhaustion and restlessness. Your mom is usually right: you will get a headache if you stare at the computer for too long. If youve been working on one assignment for hours and can feel yourself losing focus and patience, its probably time to switch to something else. This is simple and classic advice that everyone has heard a million times. And its cliche for a reason, its true. Ive found myself to be much more productive when I set smaller goals for each assignment.
Write an outline for the History paper.
Gather quotes from the novel for the English paper.
Complete the first three pages of the study guide.
Switching between assignments greatly helps me maintain a steady pace while also making progress on each of them. Having small, achievable goals that Im able to consistently fulfill creates a solid trajectory of accomplishment: I keep going if I feel like Im actually getting things done.
2. TAKE Breaks
I mean it.
No, I need to be up till 5:00 AM studying for this exam or else Ill be wasting critical time sleeping色 Shhhhhh. Shhh. My point from above still stands: you will drive yourself crazy if you dont have any variety. I never felt super confident scheduling breaks because I didnt know when I deserved to have one (which is also a problem you dont need to deserve rest!). The Pomodoro method really helped me in implementing regular breaks into my study habits. There are different variations of it but the gist is: set a timer for twenty-five minutes to focus on a task, take a five-minute break once the timer goes off, repeat. Its simple, its consistent, and makes you take care of yourself.
The Pomodoro method specifically doesnt work for everyone, so its important to find other ways to incorporate breaks into your schedule if it doesnt work for you. Setting aside specific times to have meals while not doing any work is great. Reading a chapter of a book or going on a walk are also fantastic options. I try to pick moments when there will be a clear start and end time so that Im able to relax but also dont get too carried away from my work. I highly recommend going to one of the hundreds of 厙ぴ勛圖 hot chocolate/cookie study breaks! I almost always run into someone I know for a chat and it can be truly invigorating to vent together.
3. Make Time to Have Fun
Reading period is always bittersweet for me because its the last time Im gonna see some of my friends for a while. Especially this semester because Ill be studying abroad in the spring. Having plans to see friends or attend an event, even if its not the most conducive to studying, is a great motivation to get work done ahead of time so that you wont be stressed during your plans. Study hard during the day so you can watch a movie with your friends in the evening! I tend to push myself better when I have something specific to look forward to. I also always find that I regain my energy after spending time with friends its a great way to refuel.
4. It Doesnt Have to be Perfect.
When I start mining a paper for minute problems or just staring at it, hoping some grand improvement will come to me I turn it in. If you really make an effort in a class, itll show. Your professors know that youre working hard and nobody expects you to write the next, literary-canon-defining theory. Sometimes, an assignment doesnt need to be great. It just needs to be done. And thats okay! Ive come to realize that not every single piece of my work needs to be emblematic of who I am. Good enough is still good. Once again, I circle back to my moms advice: just do your best. Thats the most you can do after all. My mom is a smart lady.
