I won't lie, I only had to write one final this semester. And because I'm off on internship next semester, that's it for finals for me this year. But I have lived through four other semesters of studying (well, two really, since the two in Missouri hardly qualify) and know a couple of things that are helpful during cram time.
1) If you live in an apartment, buy disposable dishes and cutlery. I agree that there's a problem with over-filled landfills, but piles of dirty dishes are not something a panicking student needs to deal with. One week of cups that you don't need to wash is a bit of a blessing when you're trying to memorize Canada's prime ministers in order.
2) Make something that you can eat for several days. If you're cooking for yourself, make some chilli in a slow cooker and eat it three meals a day. Or maybe just two meals a day. I like to have sandwiches for lunch.
3) Turn off your TV. I know it can be difficult to voluntarily miss The Big Bang Theory, but you can watch it illegally online when finals are over. Studying with the TV on is distracting and is going to make the process drag out longer than it needs to. I'd say that this rule applies to Facebook and Twitter too, but I can't be that hypocritical.
4) Reward yourself. I realize this is super nerdy of me, but after an allotted time period of studying, I reward myself with a couple of chapters of my favourite book, or maybe a short nap or a Facebook creep. Finding little ways to motivate yourself is important, especially when the deadline is looming.
5) Tim Hortons. Take a break and grab some coffee. I've seen firsthand what happens to people who don't take breaks and go completely crazy. For example, one person I know finished an eight-hour study binge, then went home, finished a bag of Goodie Rings, laughed hysterically on the couch for 20 minutes and then passed out cold. Finals can be a frightening time.
6) Make sure all your laundry is done before finals begin. Because if you are like me, you hate laundry and the fact that it costs money, and you know that it's just 10 times easier to take it home and do it there. Plus, if you're like me, your mom LOVES to do laundry and gets super excited when you haul three black garbage bags full into the house. Right, Mom?
7) Stay calm and call your mom. Or your best friend. Or your roommate. Finals are only a small problem in the great span of your life. You are going to beat them. And if you don't, there's always next semester.
Tonaya Marr likes to listen to Marianas Trench and read awful teen fantasy novels in her spare time. She also loves to read comments sent to her at [email protected], or tweeted to her on Twitter @tellemarr. Make her day. Send her a message.
