It’s hard to believe Finals Week is already upon us. While some soon-to-be December graduates are looking ahead to their last days of college exams, freshmen are preparing for them for the very first time.
Whether you are a Creative Writing major or a Pre-Med student, one of the perks of being a college freshman is having upperclassman friends who have been in those same shoes and have learned some helpful tips that make daunting exams feel a little less scary. Every successful senior was once a new college student who had no idea what to expect. Now, after many semesters of finals under their belts, they are ready to share their advice.
“My advice to a college freshman who is taking their final exams for the first time would be this: Don’t procrastinate studying or push it off until just a few days before the exam”, said junior Asher Braughton. “Unlike a lot of exams given throughout the semester, a final is not an exam you can only study a day or two for and be successful. I would recommend beginning studying at minimum a week before the exam.”
While studying for a fair amount of time (more than just the night before!) is necessary for finals week success, it is also vital to remember that, while very important, final exam grades do not make or break a “good student”.
“Finals are important, but not enough to sacrifice rest, mental health, and simply enjoying life”, said senior Grace Gipson. “Find a balance. Spend time studying, writing the papers, and finishing the projects, but also do something that brings you joy.”
Contrary to popular belief, finals week isn’t just for studying. It’s also the last week to spend time with friends on campus before everyone departs for Christmas Break. It is possible to engage in a healthy balance between sufficiently preparing for finals and savoring the joyous moments in between.
“I believe the best way to manage the stress of this part of the semester is to manage the balance between studying and pouring everything out for an exam grade while also still doing activities that are life giving”, said Braughton. “I believe proper planning and spacing out of study time allows for this very thing to happen! Using your time efficiently to study further out from the date of the exam also allows for time to be dedicated to friends and hobbies which will give life in these moments of busyness.”
One of the most crucial things that a first-time college finals taker (or any student) can master is the art of knowing when to take a break from the books and engage in fellowship with friends.
“Be intentional with your time”, said senior Emily Ellis. “Set aside specific times to study, grab food, take a nap, and hang out with friends. When you know you’ll have some free time, reach out to some friends to see if you all can do something fun as a study break!”
“It’s important to still have that balance of studying and relaxing, maybe even more so during finals week”, said junior Stone Thompson. “It’s important to relax and know when to step away from work for your own mental health.”
Taking plenty of days to study before the big exam and setting aside designated times to both hit the books and rest your body are great reminders, not just for freshmen, but for all college students. There is beauty in finals week. Every stress-inducing exam will soon be handed in, and there will still be time to enjoy the last week of the semester with friends.
“The best you can do is the best you can do, with the time and energy you have”, said Ellis. “No matter what grade you get, as long as you did your best that’s plenty of reason to be proud of yourself.”