This is why finals can be conquered

I am focusing on this blog to take my mind off finals. I am one of the lucky few who do not have an intense finals schedule. In fact my schedule is so spread out that it’s going to feel like my break is starting in between each final. Go ahead and envy me. As I and countless other college students embark on finals know, even for the “easy” schedules, there are rarely any finals that are stress free. Granted my schedule is easy, but my burden is still heavy. We are always told to get great sleep, eat a decent breakfast, and don’t cram but here are some tips that you don’t really hear to get you through this rough time in life.

1.    Take advantage of the deals companies are offering.

Some companies know that you are crying your eyes out right now. I had a girl tell me today that she is so tired and stressed she wants to throw up. These feelings are very real and very painful. Certain businesses are offering free drinks or something around this time; some are due to finals but most are because of the Christmas season. Check both snail-mail and e-mail for tons of offers.

2.    Limit all distractions during the final.

I have a horrible habit of playing with my hair during a test if it’s down. So girls, wear your hair up if it’ll distract you.  Don’t chew on pen caps. If you wear glasses, make sure they fit ahead of time. One year I wore my glasses instead of contacts during a final and spent the whole time adjusting my glasses because they were falling off.

3.    Be sure to look up.

This sounds utterly ridiculous. However, one year I stared at the final the entire time and never once took a break to look up and catch my breath. The second the final was over, as I tilted my head up, I could feel a knot the size of my fist forming in the back of my neck. Be sure to know when you’re overdoing it. Also this can apply to just studying. Know when to not just stare at the book.

4.    Do not get a song stuck in your head (but if you do it’s okay)

I don’t have to explain how annoying it is when you’re taking a test and the only thing on your mind is something like Taylor Swift (although for me she’s annoying all the time). If you do get an annoying song stuck in your head, try and think of a different song. It’s not necessarily bad to have a song stuck in your head if you can still focus on what you’re doing, but for some people it just ruins their groove.

5.    REST!!!

Congratulate yourself after every few questions. You’re probably doing a fantastic job. You got this. You know what you’re doing. Unlike David Stern who would fine you, no one else is going to judge you for resting. Just because that one nerd turned their test in at the beginning of your page 2 doesn’t mean you don’t know what you’re doing.

Be confident and know you’re going to do well, and you will! Happy finals, everyone.