Surviving Your First Finals Week

It's looming over our shoulders like a bully we really wish would have stayed in high school but followed us to college.

Yes, finals week is on the horizon.

On one hand, finals week is great because it means break is so close. But there's always so much to do before I pack up the car and head home. Final papers, studying for exams ... the to-do list seems endless.

But, even if stress is inevitable, there are still measures we can take to make everything as manageable as possible.

Make a plan

There's a lot to do in a short amount of time. Making a plan can help sort through everything and make it seem a bit more feasible. Write down when things are due, when the big tests are, and how you plan to get it all done.

Ask questions

If you don't understand part of the material or have a question about an assignment, ask the professor! You'll feel a lot better if you know what's going on (and it's likely someone else in the class was wondering the same thing). Plus, I think professors like it when students ask questions because it means that you are engaging in the material and want to do well.

Prioritize

Unfortunately, we do not have unlimited time to work on each paper or study for every test until we truly feel 100% ready and satisfied. There are only so many hours in a day and we've got to do the best with what we've got. So, yeah, that might mean you put off revising your religion paper to study for your chemistry test that you're feeling less confident about. Put the things you don't feel as confident about first on the list, even if you feel there is still work to be done on other projects.

Take a break and pet some fuzzy friends

They might not be able to help you with your math homework, but they certainly are cute. During finals week, the library hosts two nights of four-legged friends – a kitten night and a dog night. You can head over to the library in any state of stress and get your fill of "meows" and tail wags. After all, there is nothing like a friendly nose bump and a lick on the cheek to say, "you've got this, human!"

Get sleep

Seriously. It might be tempting to stay up and study the night away, but it is likely you will actually perform better with some sleep. Plus, the last thing you want during finals week is to get sick and sleep is one of the best ways to guard against that.

Stay calm

I know it's a stressful time, but try not to work yourself up. I always remind myself to do my best and, in the end, that's all I can ask of myself. Over-stressing about things doesn't do anyone (especially yourself) any good.

Reward yourself

Finals week is tough on everyone, so when you're done give yourself a little reward. That way, you'll have a bit of incentive pushing you through the long days of studying. Go buy a new book to read for fun. Snuggle with your dog. Go out to dinner with your family. Sleep late without feeling guilty. Simply revel in not having homework to do! Take a break and do something you enjoy – you've earned it!