Congratulations, Spartan. You’re almost at the finish line of this semester! Some students find final exam week stressful…but a little bit of planning and prioritizing can go a long way toward minimizing any feelings of stress and help you tackle your exams with calm confidence.
Organize Your Final Exam Schedule
At YCP, final exams don’t follow your typical course schedule. A great first step in preparing for finals is to check this semester’s final exam schedule and update your calendar. Address any scheduling conflicts early, like arranging for coverage at your job. Mapping out your exam schedule will also help you prioritize your studying.
If you need accommodations for your final exams, coordinate with your course instructor and YCP’s Student Accessibility Services to reserve a spot at our Testing Center. Since you’ll need to make this arrangement at least one week in advance, planning ahead is important.
In addition to scheduling the exams themselves, schedule any tutoring appointments you think would help you nail down tricky course content before your finals. If you need help understanding course concepts or assignments, meet with faculty to find answers to your questions. YCP employees want to see you succeed, so don’t be shy about asking for help.
Strike a Balance
If you still have course assignments or projects to complete before finals, make sure you’re building in time for those along with your study time. If you need help balancing your schedule, the Academic Success Center is a great resource—coaches can help you map out your priorities while making sure you’re taking care of yourself.
Basic self care is so important to your academic success. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking so much about your coursework that you forget to:
- Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Adequate rest enhances memory and focus.
- Nourish Your Body: Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar. It’s no secret that your brain works better when your body’s basic needs are met.
- Practice Mindfulness: Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. A clear mind can help you retain information more easily.
YCP often hosts special events during finals week to help students unwind. Past events have included therapy dogs, crafting, and board games. Making time for fun and social activity will give you something to look forward to and prevent you from feeling too bogged down with work.
Establish Good Study Habits
Get the most out of your study time by practicing good habits that will likely translate well to the workforce too!
- Keep it Manageable: Break your study time into blocks of no more than 90 minutes each, with short breaks to stretch or go for a walk.
- Limit Distractions: Choose a quiet, well-lit study space where you can focus.
- Mix It Up: Try multiple study methods like flashcards, practice tests, teaching a friend, or forming a study group.
While it might seem like spending hours with your nose in a book is the right approach to studying, the truth is that taking a more strategic approach to your study schedule can help with both information retention and reduced stress levels. So, take some time to plan out your study sessions and take advantage of all the resources YCP has available!
From personalized tutoring to the TimelyCare App, you can choose the services and tools to help you strike a healthy balance in your personal and academic life and make this semester’s final exams as stress-free as can be.
