Finals are still two weeks away, but most students already feel the crunch. I, for one, hyperventilate whenever I think about the endless pages of reading and writing that stand between me and winter vacation. However, I've learned a number of things the hard way that hopefully will make my finals week less stressful this time around.
For starters, organizing your time is an absolute must. The time to start preparing for finals is now. Don't wait. Make a list of everything you need to do before the semester ends, and designate fixed blocks of time each day to devote to specific tasks. Breaking down your work into small, manageable pieces will not only lead to better grades and greater understanding of the material, but it will give you psychological satisfaction every time you check off another item on your to-do list.
If you're facing a mountain of reading, focus on what you will need for the test. The time for learning was in the first three-fourths of the semester. At this point, you've either learned what you wanted to already, or you've slacked off and need to catch up. Your only goal for the next two weeks is to get the best grades you can.
Some professors emphasize readings, and others emphasize material learned in lectures. Mine your readings for phrases and concepts the professor mentioned during lecture, and for each reading make sure you can regurgitate the main point and one or two supporting details. Don't hesitate to ask questions in class or via e-mail.
If you're having trouble concentrating at home, it can be helpful to have a change of scenery. Go to the library or to a coffee shop. Personally, I like to hole up in one of those little alcoves in the Memorial Library stacks. Wherever you go, make sure it's quiet and devoid of people you know.
The most important thing you can do during this time is to take care of your health. This is already the season for colds and flus, and your chances of getting sick will be increased by unhealthy eating and lack of sleep. Junk food may be cheap and easy, but it will make you sluggish, down on yourself and—dare I say it—fat.
Instead, go out and buy some fruits and vegetables, and make yourself sandwiches for lunch. Roast beef, lettuce and tomato on rye with horseradish is my lunch of choice. It may sound kindergarten-ish, but pack yourself a lunch before you leave in the morning for a long day at the library. Having an apple or some carrot sticks on hand will diminish the urge to grab a Snickers from the vending machine or, worse yet, to make a run to Chipotle or McDonald's.
There's still time for you to avoid pulling an all-nighter by buckling down in advance. But, if you find yourself in that position, make sure it's ONE all-nighter, not two or three or seven. Adrenaline and panic may carry you through one night, but you will run out of gas after that, and your grades will suffer.
Caffeine affects people in different ways. While it will almost certainly keep you awake, it may also make you jittery and less able to concentrate. Make sure you know how caffeine affects you before you start chugging coffee or Red Bull. No grade is worth sacrificing your health.
Finally, if you're feeling stressed out about your entire future possibly depending on what you do in the next two weeks, remember to keep things in perspective.
At this very moment, there is a genocidal holocaust going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. By the grace of God, you were not born there but rather here in the United States, where you have family, friends and wild parties—where the most stressful thing in your life is finals week. Take a deep breath, do the best you can and count your blessings.
And now, I shall stop proselytizing to you and attempt to follow some of my own advice. A 10-page paper is beckoning.
