Well it’s that time of year folks. Finals are right around the corner, the ten pages worth of research papers are all due, and our last shreds of motivation jumped right out of the fourth-floor window of Shilling.
I don’t know about you, but summer break is looking to me more like that light at the end of the tunnel, or even that light that people describe moments before death. But before we can reach the heaven that is going home to our familiar summer jobs and abandoned childhood pets, we have to get past the final stretch of classes and finals.
Now that can be hard when, instead of studying, you’re falling down a seemingly endless TikTok rabbit hole. So here are some tips from a burnt-out freshman when the end-of-semester slump is kicking your ass.
1. Break Down Tasks
Looking at a to-do list with 12 different assignments all due next week can bring on much more anxiety and stress than they’re worth. So why deal with it when you can break those assignments into multiple, more manageable steps? Not only does it become easier for your brain to wrap around the seemingly endless number of tasks, but it reduces the overall anxiety around the assignments. With the already high levels of stress surrounding finals week, I’ll take all that I can get.
2. The Pomodoro Technique
I don’t know about you, but the Pomodoro method is my go-to when I’m trying to get a ton of assignments done in a short period of time. The concept of it is that you’ll focus for 25-30 minutes without any distraction (yes that includes no TikTok) before taking a 5-10 minute break to walk around, grab a snack, use the bathroom, stretch, etc. It’s the perfect balance between locking in and taking breaks in order to not overwork yourself.
3. Keep Healthy Habits
Finals and the weeks leading up to them are the most common times for students to pull all-nighters in order to lock in on last-minute assignments, but it’s one of the worst habits to have. When you’re not sleeping enough, not drinking enough water, or eating enough, you’re depriving your body of necessary rest and nutrients, in turn putting more stress on yourself. If your mind isn’t in the right place, you won’t be able to properly focus. Chances are, you’ll spend more time trying to complete or redo assignments pulling an all nighter than you otherwise would, so it’s better to take the time to rest, refuel, and come back to them with a clear mind.
4. Don’t Study at Home
Personally, I have a more difficult time studying in my dorm, considering not only the numerous distractions, but the threat of my comfortable bed. Half the time I end up back where I started — huddled under my blankets and scrolling through TikTok. One of the things that helps me is finding a different place to study where I can actually lock-in without wanting to crawl back into bed. Staley Library, the PMC benches, or the tables near Einsteins are all great options when I have to lock in without major distractions.
5. Study With Friends
I know studying with friends isn’t for everyone. It can oftentimes end up being a bigger distraction than TikTok. But studying with friends is handy when it comes to having to quiz each other on flashcards, or to just hold each other accountable. Sometimes going to get a coffee at Starbucks and sitting there for hours is the key to locking in and checking off the never-ending list of assignments.
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While this may not help everyone, I’m speaking from experience when I say these things help me. As a double major with 20 credit hours, I’m mentally checked out by the end of the semester. Sometimes we just have to do what we can to get through it. So use these suggestions or not, but either way remember to take care of yourself and get your assignments done. We’re at the home stretch and it’s not worth giving up now.
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