Exam Week Survival Guide
The ever-so-lovely exam week is on the horizon. I know everyone is really excited for the self-hatred-and-parental-pressure-induced grind that is soon to occur. But really, exams are the worst. There is no way getting around that fact. I mean come on, between forgetting everything you learned at the beginning of the semester to summer being so close you can taste it, the week is all around horrible. But everyone’s in the same boat. So here are some tips I came up with that have improved my exam week over the years:
Get comfy
I for one put a stupid amount of time into what I wear to school everyday, but on exam week, that goes out the window. Sweats are God’s work. Wear them. If you are sitting in chair for at least two hours with no breaks, believe me, you do not want it to be in jeans.
Free periods are the greatest gift (thank you administration)
I know an extra long tutorial seems like the perfect time to go off campus, socialize endlessly, or nap, but studying during this time is super helpful. Yes, you should take a break if needed, but if they’re giving you time to grind, then grind. I personally recommend spending this period in the Quiet Room.
Make sure to munch
As someone who tends to not eat when they are really worked up about school, I can tell you for a fact you will feel like crap if you are taking an exam on an empty stomach. Though it is cliché, breakfast is really really important! At least get some breakfast. Chick-fil-a is open before school and it’s like two minutes away. No excuses.
Catch some z’s
If you choose to stay up until the wee hours of the morning the night before your final, you will be useless. Cramming until 3 am is ineffective. Trust me, I’ve tried. So go to bed early and manage your time so you aren’t a zombie on test day.
These are just four things that will hopefully improve your exam experience. For some study tips I recommend that you organize your notes to match teacher’s study guides, practice lots of problems, and, I cannot stress this enough, create Quizlets. Much like sweatpants, Quizlet is the work of angels. This week is super stressful. I, myself, will probably cry once a day. In my personal opinion, the West Wing bathroom is a pretty prime spot for a mid-morning breakdown. Also, Ms. McCrary is the BEST person to talk to if you’re feeling overwhelmed. The combination of listening to her calming words and eating the candy on her desk is meditation in itself.
So don’t freak out! It’s all going to be okay! I know that sounds generic and redundant, but it is true nevertheless. These scores do not determine by any means the quality of the person who got them. They will not make or break where you go to college. As long as you put the work in, it’ll all work itself out from there. Good luck!