Tackling Finals Without Stressing Out

Image courtesy of Tulane Public Relations

Finals are finally upon us unfortunately. Whether you’re a freshman or a super senior, finals are probably the most stressful time of the semester. Don’t freak out! There are some simple ways to calm yourself down and plan out your studying in a manageable way. If you’re tearing your hair out and biting your nails down to the beds you’ll need some of these tips.

Start out with a plan. Write out each of the classes that you need to study for. Give them a ranking based on the difficulty of each class. Use stars like Netflix: the more stars the better the movie/the harder the course. You know those movies on Netflix with 1 ½ stars? You might watch them but not right now? You’ll study for those classes but just not right this second.

Once you’ve gotten your courses written down, split them up by what you know you need to study. If it’s a comprehensive exam (*GASP*) then break it up by the chapters or the units you covered in the class. If you have a study guide, even better! Use that to break up what you learned into sections.

Breaking things up into smaller sections makes it seem a little more doable. So take each of those units and give them a designated day that you’ll dedicate to studying the crap out of them!

Find your quiet place. When it comes time to study, you might want to avoid the library. Everyone will be at the library and your chances of running into someone you know is elevated. And you know you’re going to run into that one guy in your class who’s totally ready for finals and wants to chat you up for 30 minutes while you’re clearly trying to study.

Instead, try to go somewhere off the beaten path. Panera Bread and Starbucks are good options but they might be a little too close to campus. They could end up being just as crowded as the library. Try My Chocolate Coffee. They’re a little away from campus so you might be able to find more peace and quiet there.

Take it easy. If finals are getting the best of you don’t hesitate to take a step back and take some time to yourself. A hot cup of soothing tea is never a bad idea for calming nerves. If tea isn’t for you try exercise. Getting your frustrations out with a little sweat isn’t just good for your mind, it’s good for your body obviously! Emory University has a wide range of fitness classes to fit your schedule. Want something heavy? Try Cardio Kickboxing or Cycling. Need something to mellow you out and ease your mind? Try Pilates or any of the numerous yoga classes offered. There’s something to fit everyone’s needs and schedules.

Don’t let finals stress you out too badly! Sure they’re important, but so is your mental health. If you plan your studying out and keep yourself relaxed, you’ll be able to handle your finals with no problems!

What are your best studying tips? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!