LIFE

Good news! Christmas break is *just* around the corner. Bad news—that probably means you have to get through finals first. A semester's worth of material all on one test is daunting, for sure, but you're about to slay these exams!  Keep reading for your guide on how to stay stress-free this finals season.

1. Plan it out

If you're trying to organize all your materials and study guides *and* review your notes at the same time, you're def gonna give yourself a headache. Before you start doing your flashcards, make some tea and take 20 minutes to make a study schedule. Note what exams fall on which day, and make sure to make studying those subjects your priority. For exams that fall later in the week, spread your studying out over more days (you'll have less to do each day which means more sleep!). 

2. Getting started

OK, now that the plan is set, it's time to start studying. No matter your study method (flashcards, reading notes, Quizlet...or all three), there are two different routes you can take: studying what you most recently learned first or saving that material for last. Chances are you're more familiar with those concepts, so studying it first will get it out of the way, leaving more time for everything else. Studying it last will mean that, at the end of a long night of studying, your brain won't have to focus as hard since you have a firm grasp on the topics. 

3. Take breaks

At some point during your studying journey, your brain is bound to feel fried. The best way to combat this? Breaks. There are a few easy ways to decide when to take a break.

Option 1: Start working at a set time (ex: 5:30). Then, give yourself 30 minutes, 45 minutes or even an hour to be as productive as possible (it's probably best to keep your phone on the other side of the room). When the time is up, reward yourself with a 10, 15 or 20-minute break, depending on how long you worked. 

Option 2: Take a break every time you finish studying one subject, before moving on to the next. Keep to the same break time as Option 1 so you don't stray too far from focus mode.

4.  Know when to step away

When studying for a big exam, it's important to know your limits—especially if you have a pre-calc final—but also your brain's limits. It can seem like a good idea to stay up just one more hour to review everything one more time, but trust us, your body needs rest more than anything. Remember: You have learned (and most likely been tested on) this material before, so believe in yourself! You know more than you think, and your brain is at max capacity by the time you get the idea to squeeze in another review sesh. Swap your notebook for a Squishmallow and your desk chair for your bed. A good night's rest is the icing on the cake of a week's worth of reviewing and studying.

These GL quizzes are perfect to take during a study break:
✏️ Plan a lazy Sunday and we'll tell you which Starbucks holiday drink to order
✏️ Which Taylor Swift track 5 are you?
✏️ Plan your perfect day and we'll tell you which book genre you are

We can't wait to see your post-finals holiday plans.
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GIFs via Giphy | Slider image via @pinarlogy | Top image via @litt.lejudge

by Riley Yates | 12/11/2022