Tips for a Stress Free Exam Week

By Broadside Staff Writer Maria Cianfichi

It’s that dreaded time of year again. As the end of the semester draws near, the workload is overwhelming.

With papers piled high and exams in the near future, it is easy to lose your cool and become stressed. For this reason, Student Government sponsored “De-Stress Fest” this past week in the Johnson Center.

Free food and drinks were passed out to students at noon Monday through Thursday. In addition, carts stocked with energy drinks roamed the JC at 10 p.m. for those studying.

The Office of Counseling and Psychological Services recommends a 10-Point Plan on “How to Live Through Finals.”

1. Know when and where the exam is given. This can help to avoid the stress of a last-minute realization that the exam is an hour or even a day earlier than expected. Also, make sure to find out if a ScanTron or Bluebook is needed. You don’t want to show up without your test-taking essentials.
2. Plan your study time. It is important to plan ahead, keep your priorities straight and make a schedule as to what subjects to studying on which days.
3. Break up your subjects. It is important not to study the same subject for hours on end. Your brain will retain more information if you vary your topics every couple hours.
4. Reward yourself. So as not to overload your brain, try studying for 40 to 50 minutes straight followed by a 10-minute break. Daniel Soranzo, a sophomore psychology major, enjoys taking breaks when he begins to feel overwhelmed. “I like to hang out with friends, go outside or check my e-mail, Facebook or FMyLife to help me get my mind off things. A good laugh always helps,” he said.
5. Be good to yourself. It’s just as important to know the material as it is to make sure you take care of your body during finals. Make sure to eat healthy and get a full night sleep.
6. Don’t depend on study groups. While studying in groups can be helpful as a review, make sure your study partners are able to stick to talking about the material and not the latest gossip.
7. Study what’s important. More often than not, key points can be found on the class syllabus and on past tests. If ever confused, don’t be afraid to ask the professor what is going to be on the final.
8. Ask yourself questions. Simply reading over the material is rarely enough to get a decent grade. Also, try summarizing out loud to yourself.
9. Study backwards. Start with the most recent material, since that will be fresher in your mind and work back to the start of the semester.
10. Most importantly, relax for a half hour before the exam. Take it easy by hanging out with a friend, watching TV or eating an ice cream cone —whatever works best for you!

And just think, once you get past all those dreaded finals, summer will be here, giving you another full year before you have to go through exam week again.