Well, it’s that time of year again. As college students at universities across the globe grab their pencils, notebooks, 5-hour energy shots, laptops, calculators, lecture notes, chocolate, scrap paper, energy drinks, textbooks, coffee and muster up every ounce of brain power, a monster-in-the-closet is about to be released. Cue the scary music because, yes, exams are looming ahead; the only tests standing between graduation for seniors and advancing to another year of learning for everyone else. Let the late-night cramming begin.
While final exams usually bring an environment of angst, stress and worry, (and the smell of burning rubber…from all that brain power of course) these tests don’t have to be the end of the world. Next week could be the most stressful experience thus far in your college career, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when panic sets in because those 300 or so notecards you’ve been studying for the past hour still don’t make any sense.
- Take breaks
I know that studying will be at the forefront of most students’ minds, but studying in increments of 30 minutes to an hour and taking a 20-30 minute break is perfectly reasonable. This allows time for a quick snack, updating the occasional facebook status, texting a friend or anything else you’ve been dying to do while reabsorbing an entire semester’s worth of curriculum. Don’t feel guilty about resting your brain. By the end of exams your brains are going to need all of the R&R they can get.
2. Study group
Who says that studying only involves your notes, a library cubicle and yourself? Studying in a small group is often beneficial and allows discussion of the material so everyone involved walks away with a better understanding of the subject. Not saying that the group will be serious or studious the entire time, but if you study with the right people you might even be able to get some of your study questions answered by your classmates. If you cannot bear to study with anyone else because of distraction or limited social connections, at least study in an environment that is lucrative to both comfort and learning (for example Java City, in a comfy chair in one of the lounges or on your bed in your dorm). Whatever works for you; just don’t intentionally make yourself miserable in the name of education.
3. Reward yourself
So you’ve just finished your first exam and have four more to go? Sweet, celebrate a little. Go ahead, grab a cup of ice cream from the café before you start round two of studying. Or, give yourself an extended break period. Two hours of watching a movie, napping or just hanging out with friends could be the mental motivation you need to keep on trekking towards that A (or passing grade, to each their own) on your upcoming exams. Your social life doesn’t have to end because of a few academic tests.
4. Sleep
I don’t care if you are a night owl, staying up until 2 or 3 a.m. before your first, second or third (etc.) exam is not healthy. Young adults should be getting around eight solid hours of sleep per night. Before you laugh at this statistic, I know that this is not entirely realistic or doable for a college kid. However, if you are not comfortable with the test material the night before, don’t stay up all night trying to change that. The best thing you can do is get a good night’s sleep (ok, 5-7 hours) and maybe wake up a little bit earlier to review before your exam. Studying before a good night’s sleep has also been known to aid in the maximum retention of information for the next day, which could come in handy.
5. Eat a good breakfast
Even if you don’t normally eat breakfast every day try and choke something down that resembles (however faintly) decent breakfast food the morning of your tests. Students who test on full stomachs are known to be more alert and usually score higher than students who skipped breakfast. Especially for those 8:30 a.m. exams…wouldn’t want your growling stomach to distract others or yourself for those two hours of required written regurgitation (testing).
6. Laugh
I know these are grim times, but it’s not the end of the world. I’m sure in retrospect a few tests in college will one day pale in comparison to an important job interview or planning a wedding (I hear those are stressful). It’s important to remember that life is short and no matter the circumstances you should always take time to laugh at the little things (not people). You’d be surprised how much a quick release of endorphins before a test can boost your confidence and lighten your nerves.
7. Pray
As desperate as it may sound right now, praying is important through these stressful times. Your heavenly father is always happy to hear everything going on in your life, the good, bad and stressful. Taking a little time each day to approach His throne in prayer is certainly worth the results. While God may not answer your cries of worry by canceling your exams, giving you total recall of those notes you have not studied yet, or providing you with tests that involve mazes and coloring areas, He will provide. Whether He gives you endurance to keep studying and not give up, hope in the form of a subject you remember well or a phone call from home or peace to calm your nerves, God will never leave you hanging. That fact that there is an amazingly powerful creator of the universe waiting to hear from you, His most precious children, should be a bit of a comfort in itself.
Making room for simple necessities in life (while balancing studying, of course) will not necessarily make these tests more enjoyable to take. However, setting aside a little time between exams and taking breaks between studying will guarantee that you are prepared for your exams and not develop a stomach ulcer or break out in an unsightly rash from stress in the process.
Remember, it’s all about managing your time. Even if it appears that you have no time to socialize or even breathe this upcoming week, just keep in mind that others have been where you are and millions of other college kids (not as bright as yourselves) have made it through. So, this week before your tests begin, laugh a little and take several deep breaths. Say a quick prayer and then relax. Now that you are fully prepared and a little less stressed, let the testing begin.
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