I’m sure by now we all know that finals week (Jan. 15-16) is fast approaching. We can all feel the tension rising as school coursework becomes increasingly more difficult and we start to worry more about our grades and less about our state of mental and physical well-being.
That being said, it’s crucially important, now more than ever, to find it within ourselves to remain calm, manage time well, and dominate upcoming exams.
In order to navigate finals week successfully, strive to plan ahead with an organized schedule, break down tough tasks, prioritize tougher subjects, study smart with effective methods that work, and take care of oneself. Prioritize sleep, eat well, exercise, and take short breaks to prevent burnout.
While finals week can often seem overwhelming at times, It’s important to note that we don’t have to go through it alone. Seek the help of others if needed. Creating study groups with friends or classmates, or reaching out to teachers to help feel less alone during finals week and even help feel more prepared and ready to mentally take on the burden of exam day.
Another key piece of advice is to take good and thorough notes (especially if allowed to use them on the test). This doesn’t always apply to every exam, but typically in classes where key concepts and memorization are key students will often be allowed to have a “cheat sheet” when taking the final exam. Creating a detailed and extensive “cheat sheet” can prove to be an effective way of studying and reviewing, while also giving an upper-hand on exam day.
It’s also worth noting that while final exams are important, they aren’t everything. A grade on a final exam or in a class DOES NOT make or break who a person is or becoming.
Character, resilience, and capacity for growth are defined far more by how a person can handle challenges and setbacks than by any single academic achievement or failure.
People are more than their grades, and a person’s potential is not and should not be limited by the outcome of an exam.
