Steps for crushing finals week

It’s crunch time. Just over a week left and then glorious summer! The mountain of piled up homework may look higher than ever, but you can beat it. This last week before deadlines can be  your most productive week of school, and you might even get through it comfortably if you follow these tips to heart (well, at least more comfortably).

Make a list

Worrying about how much you must do is no good if you don’t have a list telling you exactly what needs doing. Having a list gives me peace at night, knowing that I haven’t forgotten anything. Plus, there is nothing quite like crossing a bothersome task off your list. Though a list you can see everything that needs to be completed before you can boogie out of Chadron. You can also visually see how much progress you made at the end of the day by counting how many things you crossed off. Pro Tip: for enormous final projects make a list of all the little parts that go in to the whole project, from making an outline to the actual presenting of your final project.

Schedule study time 

You have some kind of a daily schedule. It may only include class times, or it may be more detailed. For the next week, take a few moments to block out some study time. Make sure these are times when you won’t worry about getting someplace or talking to someone. This is your quality time with your homework. Some people work best in the small hours of the morning. I like to have accomplished at least one thing by lunch. Know when your best time is and work it. Make sure to plan out a generous amount of time for each project. It’s better to guesstimate more than end up falling behind.

Sleep and eat regularly

Food is necessary for life and bedtime is not optional. You work more effectively and have a higher caliber of work when you are well rested. Now is not the time to start binge-watching a new show! After hours sitting and studying, take a short recess and enjoy the spring outside. Not only will walking refresh your brain, it will also get rid of some energy so you will sleep better. 

Breathe

There is only a week of school days left. In a few days you will be done with another semester and off to your summer plans. Take a breath and congratulate yourself for making it. Graduates, you have our admiration and respect for surviving college. Remember, it is not the grade but what you learned that matters. See you all next fall!