Scheduling Time to Study
Sometimes life seems overwhelming and too much to handle. Can you feel the world crashing down on you especially hard during the week of finals? I know that's how I feel. Making sure you have time to study, time to eat, and time to relax are all important factors when it comes to feeling your best the day you take your test.
Finding what works for you is important, but these are some of the tools and tricks I have personally used and worked for me. I try to focus on creating a balance when I am trying to study and stay calm when finals are approaching--these tips keep me focused and make sure that I have a solid daily schedule and don't feel overwhelmed.
Use your planner.
Sometimes having a strict plan for your day is just not how you want to roll. But when it comes to finals, I would recommend giving it a shot. You want to make sure you get everything done and have adequate time to get those things done. I like planners that show each day as a long column with time slots marked out. This allows me to literally plan every hour and make to-do lists in the margins.
Create to-do lists.
Some people create to-do lists everywhere. One of those people is me. On the back of old homework, in the margin of a book, or even on my hand. I always have these things in my mind that I just have to make sure I do not forget to do something with. Creating these lists helps keep my mind calm and organized. I can study better when I create lists of things that I need to accomplish throughout the day.
Limit social media.
This is by far the hardest step for me, but let me tell you--when you limit the distractions you'll be able to get more done in less time. In my previous post I mentioned how important it is to take breaks. So my suggestion would be to use those breaks as a time to surf the web and scour your social media feeds. If you study hard for 15 minutes and then take a break for 5, you'll be giving yourself a reward for working so hard.
Celebrate.
Did you just finish that nasty Bio Exam that you studied all week for? Then treat yourself, because you deserve it! Go get a pedi, take a walk in the park, or go out to dinner with your girl friends. Celebrating after your finals will make all of the studying worth it, think of your celebration as a giant reward for studying hard and keeping focused.
I apologize for my absence lately. I've been a little under the weather the past couple of days, and then yesterday I had a crazy allergic reaction to who-knows-what! It's been a traumatic couple of days!
