Thanksgiving break is over, and school is about to finish.
At this point it feels like you’re trying to cross a finish line of a marathon, but aching all over from the race. It can be hard to refocus and get yourself back in the academic mindset.
But with finals right around the corner, students need to be prepared, and use the nice recharge from the break to help them overcome test anxiety and under preparation.
To simplify things, here are five tips to get you back in the mindset of academia and study sessions:
#1. Schedule time for work…and time for relaxation.
I know it can be a challenge to start up a project, or a study marathon, or write that paper you’ve been dreading all semester.
But schedule a time everyday where you sit down and work. This takes a lot of time management and will power, but once you start it will get easier every day.
Remember: schedule time to relax as well. Do not overwork yourself or else the stress may cause some grades to slip, or even a lack of sleep.
#2. Do a little each day.
Gauge your time and plan out how much studying or writing or reading you need to do. Do not wait until the last minute, rather, do a little each day. Do you have a ten-page paper to write?
Try to make it a goal to write two pages a day. Do you have a huge math final you need to study for? Practice ten problems a day or gauge how much studying you need to do. By doing a little each day, you’ll be amazed how easy it is to accomplish anything, and how quickly things progress.
#3. Use a planner.
Planners may seem outdated, but even simply setting reminders in your phone calendar can really help you remember all the quizzes, projects, and tests leading up to finals.
If you feel a planner is not your speed, try alternative methods like journaling and post-it notes to make sure you have everything you need in a visual context Having everything in a visual context can help your mind remember things much better than not having them written down.
#4. Go to class.
It can be hard, you may not want to, but try your best to attend every class so you stay up to date with what is happening. Even if you have someone who can give you the notes or let you know what the homework is, it is much more beneficial to go to class and learn.
A lot of teachers also like to give out sneaky extra credit for showing up, or they may count attendance. Either way, showing up to your classes can only benefit you as you head into finals.
#5. Encourage others around you.
Everyone seems to be walking with their heads down, but encouraging your friends to work their hardest is a simple way to make sure everyone gets back into the right mindset for school.
Not only does this help them succeed, but it shows you care and knowing that you made someone’s day a little bit better with a little encouragement is an amazing feeling.
These are the tips I recommend for refocusing as we come back from a nice break. It is difficult trying to get back into school work, and you may feel overwhelmed.
But with these tips getting back into the finals spirit has never been easier.
The next two weeks may seem frightening, but if you get plenty of relaxation time, you’ll be stellar at your finals.
Emily Rubino
Opinions Editor
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