How To Take Control of Finals

I can't believe I'm already writing a post about finals. It feels like yesterday that I wrote a survival guide for midterms! But, despite my disbelief, the semester is coming to an end and finals are in the tangible future. While many people are beginning to freak out, I'm remaining as optimistic as possible. Here's how.
First thing's first- clear your head and de-stress as much as possible before crunch time officially starts. I was lucky enough to have a mini getaway this weekend when I went home for American Thanksgiving. It was so nice to visit with my mom, brother, and friends, eat "real" food, sleep, and get out of the chaos of the city. I still did plenty of studying while I was home, but it still felt good to remove myself from the stress bubble that was building up in my apartment. Maybe you don't have the same opportunity that I did, but there are other ways to release the stress and clear your mind here at McGill. Take a yoga class, splurge on a massage, or do whatever it is that you need to do to get in the right mindset for your studies.

Now that you've de-stressed as much as you can, it's time to plan your studies. Make sure not to procrastinate; start as early as you can so that you're not cramming the night before the test. Spread out your work efficiently and make sure not to overwork yourself. Be aware of your study habits and capabilities, and do not push them further than your limit. For example, I know that I am pretty unproductive past 12 or 1, but I really am useless past 2. Because of this, I make sure never to stay at the library past that time, since my time will be better spent getting a good night's sleep rather than trying to force myself to study when I'm not absorbing anything. Make schedules, set goals, and make sure to meet those goals. That way, you'll feel accomplished in your work, and I'm a firm believer that your attitude has a huge impact on your success. Studying stressed will get you nowhere!

Now for all the obvious ones. Don't hesitate to seek help if you need it. Go to your TA, your professor, or a tutor for questions. I'm doing prep101 for two courses, since I know I really need the extra teaching sessions. There's no shame in getting extra help if that's what you need to succeed. After all, that's what those tools are there for! Don't panic, study hard, and keep a level head. Don't forget about all your other obligations-such as grocery shopping, extra curriculars, and the gym- since productive study breaks can help you maintain focus and add structure to your day. Take these study breaks, and don't underestimate their value! I find that if I study for too long and don't stop, then I am much less productive than I would be if I had taken a short break. Make sure to get lots of sleep the night of your test and eat a big breakfast. Bring a watch, wear comfy clothes, and tie your hair/bangs back so they don't distract you during the test. Bring a bunch of writing utensils, erasers, a calculator, your ID, and everything else you might need. Double check that you haven't forgotten anything. Double check that your alarm is set correctly. DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE. YOU CAN DO IT! I have faith in you! And don't forget to reward yourself over the holiday break! You deserve it. Good luck!