by Kodie Butterfield
Staff Writer
The closer it gets to the end of the semester the harder I am finding it to stay focused and do what needs to be done. Some of us are preparing to transfer to a four year university and have plenty of planning left to do but we’ve got to finish this semester first. With only about a week left it can be hard but final exams are nothing to mock at. That final exam can make the difference between failing and passing or for those perfectionists out there the difference between an A and a B. The stress that brings can be overwhelming sometimes but there are ways to help diminish the effects it has on us. I’m going to give you some simple tips on how to get some studying done but hopefully keep the stress level to a minimum.
Some people like to just sit down for a few hours and try to study straight through without any break. That’s not the way it should be done. By doing this you are overloading your brain with the information and it gets harder to maintain all of it. When you sit down to study spend about an hour on a subject and then take about a ten minute break away from it. Let the information seep into your brain and stay there. What’s the point of studying if it isn’t going to stick? Taking breaks will help you in the long run plus no one wants to spend three hours solid studying for a Chemistry exam.
You remember those naps we all refused to take in kindergarten? Well this would be a time to use those. When you get too stressed you can develop a stress headache and sometimes taking medicine doesn’t work. The best thing to do is to lay down in a quiet room shut off the lights and just lay down. You might want to set an alarm so you don’t sleep too long but it will help your body take a rest and de-stress.
Classical music might not be the most appealing to everyone but the rhythmic sounds relax your muscles and help strengthen your memory. I will be honest that any other time of the year I don’t listen to classical music but when finals week comes up I am more than happy to put on some Beethoven.
Cramming the night before is not a good idea, you are less likely to absorb the material and will most likely sit down to do your final exam and forget everything and I know how much we all hate when that happens. You should start studying for an exam at least a week before the test. That might mean it is a little late for some of you but it’s better to start now then try to cram the weekend before your Monday morning exam.
Another thing you can do is eat right. I know this is something that I have a problem with year round. Eating fruits and vegetable really do help though. This is something I am going to work hard on this semester, I want to cut back all the junk food and pick up an apple or some celery. All of that junk food isn’t just bad for you it’s also bad for your brain.
It’s been said that chewing gum helps you focus during exams and I have found this true for me. So pick up an extra pack while you are at the store and maybe even share with your friends. Another thing to do during the test is to take advantage of whatever notes you teacher might be letting you use. I’m lucky enough to have a test where my teacher allows all the notes we have taken. Even if it is just a small notecard, use it. That notecard can fit a lot of information and fill it with the things you don’t remember not the obvious.
Once you finish your exams, go out and reward yourself. Don’t worry about how they went once they are done with. Let go of that stress and go have some fun, whether that means going out with some friends or sitting at home with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. Just remember your finals are over and the stress is over for a while. It’s almost summer so have some fun but not until after you finish studying.
Staff Writer
The closer it gets to the end of the semester the harder I am finding it to stay focused and do what needs to be done. Some of us are preparing to transfer to a four year university and have plenty of planning left to do but we’ve got to finish this semester first. With only about a week left it can be hard but final exams are nothing to mock at. That final exam can make the difference between failing and passing or for those perfectionists out there the difference between an A and a B. The stress that brings can be overwhelming sometimes but there are ways to help diminish the effects it has on us. I’m going to give you some simple tips on how to get some studying done but hopefully keep the stress level to a minimum.
Some people like to just sit down for a few hours and try to study straight through without any break. That’s not the way it should be done. By doing this you are overloading your brain with the information and it gets harder to maintain all of it. When you sit down to study spend about an hour on a subject and then take about a ten minute break away from it. Let the information seep into your brain and stay there. What’s the point of studying if it isn’t going to stick? Taking breaks will help you in the long run plus no one wants to spend three hours solid studying for a Chemistry exam.
You remember those naps we all refused to take in kindergarten? Well this would be a time to use those. When you get too stressed you can develop a stress headache and sometimes taking medicine doesn’t work. The best thing to do is to lay down in a quiet room shut off the lights and just lay down. You might want to set an alarm so you don’t sleep too long but it will help your body take a rest and de-stress.
Classical music might not be the most appealing to everyone but the rhythmic sounds relax your muscles and help strengthen your memory. I will be honest that any other time of the year I don’t listen to classical music but when finals week comes up I am more than happy to put on some Beethoven.
Cramming the night before is not a good idea, you are less likely to absorb the material and will most likely sit down to do your final exam and forget everything and I know how much we all hate when that happens. You should start studying for an exam at least a week before the test. That might mean it is a little late for some of you but it’s better to start now then try to cram the weekend before your Monday morning exam.
Another thing you can do is eat right. I know this is something that I have a problem with year round. Eating fruits and vegetable really do help though. This is something I am going to work hard on this semester, I want to cut back all the junk food and pick up an apple or some celery. All of that junk food isn’t just bad for you it’s also bad for your brain.
It’s been said that chewing gum helps you focus during exams and I have found this true for me. So pick up an extra pack while you are at the store and maybe even share with your friends. Another thing to do during the test is to take advantage of whatever notes you teacher might be letting you use. I’m lucky enough to have a test where my teacher allows all the notes we have taken. Even if it is just a small notecard, use it. That notecard can fit a lot of information and fill it with the things you don’t remember not the obvious.
Once you finish your exams, go out and reward yourself. Don’t worry about how they went once they are done with. Let go of that stress and go have some fun, whether that means going out with some friends or sitting at home with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. Just remember your finals are over and the stress is over for a while. It’s almost summer so have some fun but not until after you finish studying.