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!

How to Get off the Couch

If you are anything like me, then you find it difficult to make time for the gym. Even though I would love to make my daily workout a priority, it simply is put on the back-burner when there are so many other things to be done. Any spare time I get is spent catching up on a TV show instead of working out. It's no easy task staying fit in University!
The best way to find time for the gym is to plan out your day the night before instead of in the morning. That way, you can tell whether or not you will be able to complete all the goals you've set for the day. It might seem like a no-brainer, but making a schedule and sticking to it makes everything so much easier. Plus, it's rewarding to check everything off your to-do list once it's all completed!
On days when there is no possible way of getting to the gym, try getting your heart rate going in different ways. Skip the elevator in your apartment building, take the scenic route home from class, hang out with a friend who lives a little bit far away, or take a quick hike up Mt. Royal. Set a daily at-home workout for yourself of abs, jumping jacks, push-ups, or any other easy exercise routines so that you know you'll do at least a little bit each day.
My favorite athletic commitments that I've made at McGill are my Intramural Ultimate Frisbee and Inner-tube Water Polo teams. Intramural sports are a fun way to get outside and play with friends. Fortunately, for disorganized people, McGill makes the game schedule for you, so you don't have to worry about finding time. Being part of a team also means you owe it to your teammates to show up to the games, making you obligated to get a fun workout. Also, you get to hang out with friends who you don't see much otherwise, so Intramural sports are the way to go for lazy and time-constrained people like me.