Tips to Help You Prepare for Finals

Summer break is so close, Bulldogs! It’s time to power through and ace your final exams before you head out on your summer adventures. Need some tips to help finish the semester out strong? Check out our tips for a successful finals week.

• Make a plan. Overwhelmed by all you have to do, from studying to finishing final projects to packing up your room? Start by getting organized. Make a list of all your priorities and schedule time into each day to tackle them. By breaking everything down into smaller tasks, they’ll feel more manageable.
• Find your studying style. Not everyone studies the same way. Do you prefer to study solo, or find a friend to quiz each other? Would you rather reread all your notes, or copy out the key ideas onto flash cards? Choose whatever style of studying helps you remember the material better and stick with it.
• Take a break. Giving yourself a few minutes rest while studying will help you in the long run. Set a timer to power through your study time and then incorporate 10-minute breaks in between. If you’re staring at a screen all day, be sure to give your eyes a break and look away from your electronics every so often. And with the weather getting nicer, find time to go for a quick walk to recharge – or even take your studying outside with you!
• Take care of yourself. Eating well and sleeping well are just as important as making sure you know all of the material. Make sure you’re eating balanced meals, healthy snacks and staying hydrated (not just caffeinated)! It’s also important to get enough sleep each night rather than trying to pull an all-nighter. Take care of your body – and your brain will thank you.
• Utilize your resources. The Dean Community is here to help you succeed. If you need some extra support during finals week, you’re not alone. The Morton Family Learning Center and the Theodore and Cynthia Berenson Center for Writing, Mathematics and Presentation Excellence offer countless resources to help you succeed, Counseling Services is there if you’re feeling anxious or stressed, and your professors and Success and Career Advisors are there for you every step of the way.

You can do it, Bulldogs – you’re almost there! Learn more about student support and success at Dean.