As we go into the dreaded free and finals weeks, make sure you do it with a plan. Here are some strategies to keep in mind to make your end to the semester as smooth as possible.
- Stop in at the Walter Center! Come in any time during their College Care Week, and you’re bound to find snacks, activities, quiet time, and more to help support you in this stressful time.
- Sleep, eat, keep clean, and relax! Self maintenance is critical to effective studying. Avoid all-nighters, and prioritize balanced meals. Schedule in showers and food prep if you have to!
- Use a realistic study schedule.
- Plan ahead for what you will study in a given session, what methods you’ll use (flashcards, study guides, etc.), and for how long.
- Be honest with yourself about how long each session should be – if you do not plan any breaks, you may feel disappointed or set back when you need to take one (they are essential for absorbing information over time). Students generally have focused study for 25-45 minutes at a time before taking a 5-15 minute break, but there is wide individual variation.
- Have study sessions for different classes on a given day – this helps minimize burnout on one crammed topic and gives your brain more time to absorb a topic’s information while staying on task (studying).
- Pay attention to the logistics of each final. Double-check that the dates for your finals are written and understood correctly, and understand the format of each to help plan for study methods.
- Prioritize certain courses or topics in your final assignments according to due date and difficulty.
For more tips and information, see these and more columns of IU News and the IDS:
5 study tips to prepare you for finals
College stress is real, but it’s manageable with breaks and self-care
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