The Observer, December 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 13
Worst Case Scenario: Finals week: a survival guide
You're a student at Case Western Reserve University in the fall 2007 semester. The end of school brings with it a rapid-fire spread of finals, papers and projects. You can't tell if you're shaking from the cold or the all-consuming anxiety. Goodwill goes out the window as you race to the library, plowing down innocent pedestrians on the way.
To put it mildly, you're stressed. But before you throw yourself in front of a Greenie, or run away and join the circus, pause briefly to consider reality. You have a ton of work to do, and a limited amount of time to do it. That's the bad news. However, if you think forward a few short weeks, you're realize that after the 19th, life will again be normal – except better because you'll be on break. Life went on before finals, and life will go on after them.
That being said, here are a few ideas to keep you sane and productive during finals week:
Don't skimp on sleep. Of course you can get more done if you work for 24 hours straight rather than working for 16 hours and getting eight hours of sleep. For about one day. Even if you don't sleep, your mental acuity will start to, which will land you in a world of hurt during hour two of your physics final. You can accomplish much more as a well-rested, alert person than you can as a caffeine-infused, sleep-deprived zombie.
(Try to) have a healthy diet. When you're cramming for finals, you may also find yourself mashing all the potato chips you can find down your gullet at the same time. Bad idea. Not only are you at risk of choking, but you're also depriving your body of needed nutrients (other than salt and fat) that it needs more than ever during this time of stress.
Hygiene! Just because you're trying to beat the curve doesn't mean you should turn your body into a biological weapon whose odor will incapacitate the rest of the class. A hot shower could be just what you need to break up the studying and "clear the air."
Set reasonable study goals. The key word here is "reasonable." Do what you can each day, every day. Don't set aside Thursday to memorize your biology book—study a chapter or two each day. If you find yourself reading (or writing) the same sentence over and over again, think of new ways to make the material meaningful. Use color-coding and flashcards to create mini-challenges for yourself.
Relax! I know it seems impossible given your time constraints, but you need to take a few minutes each day to do something enjoyable (aside from the endless delight that is studying). Relaxation may come through your favorite shoot-em-up game, taking a short nap during the afternoon, or enjoying a hot shower, like we talked about earlier. If you're a real go-getter, you may even want to pop over to the gym for a few minutes.
Remember that just because exams can be hell, doesn't mean they have to be. Follow the simple suggestions above, and you too may find yourself universally despised for your unflappable calm during exams.
