Manage stress levels properly
During college finals, many students experience high levels of stress due to their upcoming tests. Both of these emotions are essential at this time since they instigate motivation within the student. However, too much negative emotion can be counter-productive towards reading efficiently during the final weeks. Without proper management both daily habits such as exercise and healthy eating won't matter that much in the long run. Do not allow anxiety and depression to take over your mind and body. Instead, try practicing mindfulness daily. This will help you healthily manage stress levels during finals week.
Avoid excessive use of caffeine
During college finals, students make caffeine their best friend. Coffee and energy drinks can be very beneficial when preparing for an exam, however, too much caffeine may lead to anxiety and sleeplessness. Caffeine is a stimulant that will increase your heart rate and cause you to feel more alert; this does not mean that it is the best decision at all times though! Avoid using excessive amounts of caffeine since it can have adverse effects on your mental clarity later in the day or night. Instead, try drinking coffee only once throughout the day so that way by nighttime you are ready to sleep instead of reading any further. Take tea or coffee but in moderation and only when you need it.
Avoid studying all night long
Preparing for an exam the entire day before is a terrible idea. If you read all day, then by nighttime your brain will be fried and unable to retain any new information. This will only lead to more stress and anxiety since you’ll be worried about forgetting everything that was covered during the day. It is best to take a breather every few hours for your brain to recharge properly. Reading all night long can also affect our sleeping cycle, which then leads to us feeling exhausted when it comes time to wake up and take the test. Instead, try reading for a few hours during the day before taking a short time off around lunchtime or mid-afternoon. If this is not possible then at least stop every couple of hours and walk away from your desk so that you can clear your head and prevent further stress levels from building up.
Ask for feedback
Seek positive feedback from teachers and friends. If you know someone good at a subject, then ask them for help. Remember that asking questions and seeking feedback from others will not make you seem weak or incapable of reading on your own. Most people appreciate hearing about ways to improve upon their weaknesses by listening to the suggestions of those around them! Seek out positive feedback from teachers and friends to help boost your confidence so that you can be ready for any type of question on the test.
Avoid making last-minute changes
Do not make last-minute changes. If there has been a change in test times or locations, then do not panic. Make sure you take time before finals week starts to figure out when all of your tests will be, gather all of the information you need from everybody involved in making these changes, and then adapt accordingly. However, do not make last-minute decisions to study for one test over another simply because it is easier or more convenient; this could end up backfiring on you since that easy test may end up being much harder than anticipated.
Seek medication if unwell
If you realize that you are unwell and unable to prepare effectively, then seek medication and/or medical attention as soon as possible. If you know that you are sick but still plan on studying for finals anyway, then at least take some time before trying to start your preparations so that way by the time it comes around to taking the test you will not be completely drained of energy. Make sure you take time to rest and recover if you are feeling sick, otherwise it will only be more difficult for your body to handle the stress of finals week once it starts.
