by Alexa Peyton
Binge watch Netflix
Seriously, you’ll regret this one. It’s super tempting, I know. It seems like a great way to take a break from studying. You’ll say “I’ll just watch one episode”, but next thing you know one episode turns into 3 seasons. Don’t let yourself get sucked into the Netflix abyss. You may be laughing and clapping along to the Friends theme every 22 minutes, but you won’t be laughing when realize you don’t know any of the material on your final. Not that I would have any experience with that…
You’ll be looking at your test like…
Pull All-Nighters
Sometimes it just doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day to do what you need to do. So why not stay up all night and do it? That seems like a great idea, right? Wrong. All-nighters can lower your immune system making you more susceptible to illnesses. Nobody’s going to appreciate your incessant sniffling or coughing during the final exam. It also affects your memory. Sleep and memory go hand in hand. You need sleep in order for your brain to convert short-term memory into long-term memory. Pull an all-nighter and you can kiss all of that cramming you did goodbye. It also affects your mood, and nobody (especially those around you) wants that.
Cry
This is probably inevitable, but here are some ways to avoid it:
- Get all of your assignments and papers done so you have time to study. A pile of assignments plus the impending doom of a final looming over your head equals tears. It can feel impossible to get it all done. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, just take a step back and breathe. You can do this.
- Start studying now. Don’t wait until the literal day before the test to study because I can promise you that will definitely end in tears.
- Don’t panic. Easier said than done, I know. Just take a break, eat some Cheetos, then come back and continue studying. Always remember that a test grade doesn’t define who you are or the level of your intelligence.
Special bonus: Another thing you shouldn’t do is go crying to your professors for help and extra credit to bring up your grades. They won’t appreciate this. After all of the extra credit opportunities you didn’t take during the semester and NOW you want to do it? Girl, no. You’re going to go to them like Justin Bieber with “is it too late now to say sorry?” and they’re going to come back at you like OneRepublic with “it’s too late to apologize.”
Everyone has their own way to cope with finals. You can do whatever works best for you. Last semester I coped by listening to High School Musical, Camp Rock, and the Jonas Brothers. I don’t really recommend this. But seriously, just know that your professors are praying for you during finals week. You’ll be fine, because you always end up fine. You always make it out alive. Don’t let this moment of stress eclipse what you’re really striving toward.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
Alexa is only here because Hogwarts doesn’t accept FAFSA.