Every semester passes quicker than the last, creating a perpetual countdown until college is over. As we reflect on the semester and academic year, we also face one last obstacle: finals week. Finals week is one of the most daunting weeks for students, demanding time, focus, and dedication to prove a whole semester’s knowledge, often through one exam. There are many ways to prepare for finals week, but a few unique approaches have been proven to make finals week a little less intimidating.
As far as academic material goes, one of the best ways to retain information is by teaching it. To be at the level to teach content, one must possess a deep understanding of the topic. This is often executed by reading aloud and teaching from notes or studying in a group. By vocalizing content with a deep level of understanding, it can reinforce knowledge and improve memory of the content itself. Forming study groups is an exceptional way to retain knowledge.
Another way to keep your brain sharp leading up to finals week is changing your study location. It is easy to develop a routine of studying in the same space continuously. By changing locations, a fresh, new perspective may be offered. UND’s campus has an abundance of outdoor study spaces. Following winter, students may be lacking in natural Vitamin D from the lack of the warm sun. Additionally, Vitamin D is linked to mental clarity, energy production, and overall improvement of mood. By changing a frequented study space for a new outdoor one, you may find a new place to study and will also increase essential Vitamin D consumption through sunlight.
Though you may be tempted to stay up late and study for your finals, it could be more detrimental to your performance than you would think. A proper amount of sleep is one of the best ways to improve your brain’s function in conjunction with proper nutrition and hydration. Allotting yourself time to achieve proper sleep is essential. It is also important to schedule time to move your body and connect with others. Humans are meant to exist in social settings, interacting with others regularly. Making sure to allot time with your friends during this busy time may help reduce stress and keep you grounded. While these may seem like obvious solutions, it can often be hard to achieve, especially while in the thick of finals. If you are unable to cope with the stress and workload of finals, there are many resources on campus to help you, including academic advisors, the University Counseling Center, and various other organizations and pre-existing study groups.
While these are just a few ways to prepare for finals week, there are a plethora of others that exist and may prove to be successful for you.
Sadie Blace is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
