Classes has pretty much ended and now comes the dreaded and feared finals week. Many of us are probably starting to stress out about finals now since we haven't been studying the whole semester. If you're not one of those, finals week should be quite manageable, but if you're not, finals week can still be feasible to survive through. Here are some tips I thought were useful throughout my four years fo experience

Plan and organize: It might seem like a hassle to figure out your schedule and plan how to study, but it will most likely save you time and prevent and unwanted surprises. Take the time to look at your final schedule and plan out your study days, and work from there.

Taking a break: Know when your brain needs a break, studying constantly throughout finals week can't be good for you mentally or physically. But when I say break I don't mean going out to party or anything, more like something relaxing like watching a movie or going to the gym, so it doesn't completely take your focus off of your finals.

Sleep: Don't be crazy and study 24/7 We aren't robots and hence we need sleep. Sleep is an important factor in memory and learning, so make sure you get lots of it!

Efficient studying: Get off that instant messaging and turn off that TV. There are so many distractions to keep you from studying! We know what those distractions are, but most of the time we just let it through becuase we enjoy them Gain the willpower to simply tell yourself that you need to study, adn perhaps go to a place where the distractions aren't readily there.

Relax: try not to stress out, easier said than done. But if you plan accordingly and study efficiently, you shopuld be fine!

Posted by Stephen Kwan at 2:11 PM | Permalink

Getting closer to the end of the spring semester can be both exciting and stressful. You can't wait to finish the school year and take on your summer plans. However, there's that one obstacle that stands in your way. Finals.

Personally, overnight cram sessions have never been very helpful to me. It might work for some people, but I find that I tend to forget it all really quickly. This isn't necessarily the best thing since courses further on require you to have an understanding of their prerequisite courses.

Time management is the key to avoiding this. As finals near, it's a smart idea to have a calendar that contains time segments (almost like an appointment book). This really helps me organize my time for studying. It's also important to realistically plan your time. If you have a somewhat short attention span like I do, studying for four finals in one day with minimal breaks isn't very efficient. Over scheduling can affect your mood. If your list is too long and you find that you didn't complete it all by the end of day, you feel like you've wasted your time and get more stressed.

Stress, with the combination of all those take out food you've been eating, can be detrimental to your health. It can also affect your studying. Remember to take breaks and plan your time wisely during finals week. It will be beneficial for you in the long run and with your exams.

Posted by Rebekah Kim at 6:42 PM | Permalink

I’m sitting at the library, sifting thought powerpoint lectures, trying to cram the information into my head as I prepare for my three midterms at the end of this week. Looking outside the window at the blue sky, I cannot help but think how great summer will be when I can finally take a breather. “Not till after next week” I tell myself, as I know that I cannot leave Berkeley without first getting through midterms…and then finals.

(sigh)

If you’re like me, making trip after trip to the library, or spending endless nights studying at your desk, you can understand how physically and emotionally stressful the end of the semesters are. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it, but there are ways that we can get through it.

Sleep: It seems counterintuitive to “waste time” being unconscious, especially when you could be using that time to cram more information into your brain. Give your body and mind a chance to rest so you can perform well on the day of the actual test.

Eat right: Especially when we’re stressed, those greasy, fried foods appear even more appetizing. However, stress can increase the body’s need for certain nutrients and can weaken the immune system, so it is a good idea to eat healthier foods to stay focused, alert and strong against potential colds/flu’s.

Keep Organized: Listing and outlining your schedule of tests can help you plan when you need to work on something. I find it helpful to make a daily list of tasks that state what and how much I need to study for a certain class. This way, I set mini goals for myself that are more attainable and actually get done.

Take a break: Sitting and staring at the screen is probably not going to get much done. If you’re stuck, or feel exhausted, it is ok to walk around a bit, to go outside and get some fresh air. This can help to regenerate your body and mind.

As always, if you have any other concerns regarding studying tips or worry about what you will do over the summer, feel free to visit the PALs at our office hours. We’re here to help you get through this difficult time, so if you need a listening ear or someone to vent to, our doors are open!

Posted by Crystal Kwan at 11:26 AM | Permalink

The fun is just getting started! ; ) The end of the semester and preparing for finals can be a stressful time of the year. Sometimes I find it really hard to stay motivated and I forget about the things I need to get done at the end of the semester. One thing that helps me to stay on track and keep things organized is writing down a list of goals, whether it's setting aside study time or review sessions, completing an assignment or an errand, etc. Unlike writing in my planner, I'll take a separate sheet of paper, write down a whole list of things to accomplish, and decorate it with quotes like “I can go the distance” or “Don’t hate, elevate.” Then I carry it with me or tape it on my wall. =P I know, maybe it sounds corny, but for me it helps to reinforce some motivation and a “can-do” attitude (well for one, everything doesn’t look so bad on paper). At least I can look at my list to re-focus myself of my priorities when school gets overwhelming. The end of the semester may not only be filled with finals, but it might also include job/internship/apartment hunting, graduation, final projects, summer planning, etc. Do whatever you need to do to handle your situation because in the end you want to do well on your finals and finish the semester on a good note.

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we know. We will know only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum

Posted by Dale Dualan at 2:08 AM | Permalink