Tips & Tricks for Tackling Finals Season

Follow these tips and your final exams will be a breeze!

by KATE WALKER ★ NOVEMBER 23, 2019

Finals season can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Most students find it hard to stay motivated and end up slacking, whether that be on assignments or even showing up to class. The end of the semester is within sight and all you can think about going home and catching up on all the sleep you have lost this semester. However, don’t lose hope yet! With these four simple tips, you’ll breeze through your finals and wonder why you were struggling to begin with!

Find your favorite study spot:

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At Syracuse, we have a plethora of study spaces, whether that be a traditional library to a trendy coffee shop. Explore the campus and find the place that you can buckle down and get work done, yet still feel comfortable and inspired.

Carnegie Library is great if you work best individually and in a library setting as it has a no talking and no-food policy. Carnegie Library was built in the early 1900s and is one of the University’s architectural gems. If you appreciate a pin quiet setting and are okay with no food, this is the place for you.

On the other hand, if you like a more relaxed environment where you can do group work with other students, Bird Library is the place for you. As you go up each floor, it gets quieter and quieter, making it ideal for group or individual work. The sixth floor has stunning views of the campus, and Pages Cafe is located on the first floor, which has great food and coffee to fuel your studying!

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If you’re a sucker for quaint coffee shops with a real community feeling, Cafe Kubal will become your new go-to study spot. Not only does Cafe Kubal have great coffee and a tasty menu, but its employees are super friendly. It’s great for individual work, or you can do group work on one of their big comfy Friends  -inspired couches.

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If you’re constantly on-the-go and can’t spare to walk a couple of blocks to a coffee shop or library, find the cafe located in the buildings of your classes! Most buildings, such as The iSchool, Newhouse, or Whitman (just to name a few), have fantastic cafes to sit down and get work done. If you have a hectic schedule, just stay in the same building as your class and quickly pump out a few assignments before your next class.

Get organized and manage your time:

Planning your time is crucial to succeeding this finals season. It’s so easy to get un-inspired and focus time solely on your social life. Although balance is extremely important to your success, by using a planner and deciding when/what you’re studying, you’ll be able to map out when you have time to hang out with friends or just relax. By managing your time, you’ll feel more organized. This will reduce your stress, making for an overall positive and successful finals experience.

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Teamwork makes the dream work:

Get together with your friends or classmates and have a study session! Studying with others is a great way to grasp the material, as it allows you to ask questions and learn from a different perspective. It’s also a way to stay social yet still be productive. Just talking with others about the material is proven to be a great way to retain information.

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Healthy bodies make healthy minds:

It’s so easy to get caught up with the fast pace and stressful nature of Finals season. Sometimes,  you don’t take time to care about your body. Making sure you’re eating nutrient-rich meals regularly and staying active is essential to your success in the classroom! Whether it be going to the gym, taking workout classes, or just walking around campus, staying active is proven to reduce stress and make for a clear mind, which ultimately, will allow you to thrive on your final exams.

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Don’t let finals season overwhelm you and restrict you from succeeding. Just sit down, take a deep breath, and follow these four simple tips. Happy studying and good luck from UGirl!