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Courtesy: Delaware Valley University The mascot cheers on students as they study in the library.

Finals week is just around the corner. Of course, this can be an incredibly stressful time! It feels like there’s a bunch of labs, exams, and essays due at the same time. So, what’s the best way to work through this time? Here are some tips to get you through the end of the semester.

1.  Time Management
We hear it time and time again: always manage your time. It can be difficult and there are times where we mess up. Other times, there are other projects or personal factors that affect how you manage your schedule. It can take a fair amount of will power and responsibility. But, it can be done. For exams, schedule a reasonable amount of time to study. For essays, plan to write each day until the due date. For example, if you have a six-page paper due in one week, plan to write about one to two pages each day. This way, you won’t feel rushed to find information and ideas at the last minute.

2. Find the Best Study Techniques for You
Everyone takes in information differently. While some techniques may be helpful for some, it may be difficult for others. Understanding the type of learner you are can help come up with techniques for studying. Are you a visual learner? Creating notecards or rewriting notes may help. Are you a hands-on learner? Creating or finding practice tests online may work for practice. Are you an audio learner? Reading your notes may help you the most.

3. Get Sleep
It may be tempting to stay up all night and study as much as you can until the next day. However, studies have shown that less sleep leads to lower memory. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, sleep deprivation can lead to impairment of short-term memory, long-term memory, and self-evaluation of your performance (2007). So, sleeping can actually help you retain the information you need for those exams.

4. Form Study Groups
If studying alone seems daunting, working with others may be helpful. Meeting up with other people in your class can help you get answers to your questions and go over the information you may have missed. It can also be helpful to talk to others who have already taken the class you’re taking. Other students can give some advice as to how they experienced the class and what study skills helped the most. Even study groups with friends can be good for providing support and encouragement during these times.

5. Self-Care
With academics being such a high priority for many, it’s nearly impossible to not get stressed. We want to make sure we get the best possible grades we can. However, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your well-being. If you feel overwhelmed, give yourself permission to step away from studying and take a breath. Be sure to keep food in your body and stay hydrated. It seems like common sense, but during these times, many tend to push these necessities to the side. So, when times get tough, take a break with a hobby you enjoy or, just rest for a bit. Taking time for yourself away from studying is just as important as preparing for finals.

Best of luck to everyone! Study hard and take care of yourself.

About the Author

Courtesy: Caitlin O’Brien ’19 ​​​​​​​Caitlin O’Brien ’19

Caitlin O’Brien ’19 is a Delaware Valley University counseling psychology major and English minor. She is a current member of the co-ed fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. She is also a writing tutor at the University's Writing Center.