Winters are magical. There are black Friday sales, bright lights, and holiday cheer. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Or is it? For pharmacy students, the holiday cheer does not last long. Finals week is stressful and can leave students feeling depressed, overwhelmed, unmotivated, and exhausted. This week consists of cumulative exams and what seems like an insurmountable amount of work. Even though finals are stressful, there are ways to be academically successful while still maintaining your mental health.
1. Breathe, shake, stretch, and let it go…
No seriously. Before finals begin take time to assess what you need to do. Breathe, shake, stretch and let all of your doubts, stress, and anxiety go. If you are a spiritual person, pray or do yoga. Take time to prepare yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically so that you can remain calm during finals. Remember to eat healthy and exercise during finals.
2. Strategize & Plan
Make a plan. Write down when your finals are, what you need to learn, and other tasks that you need to do. Prioritize your tasks and make a finals week to do list. After you complete the list, assign yourself daily tasks. Check the tasks off of your list as you complete them. Making a plan and sticking with it, will not only help you visualize what needs to be done, but will also improve your time management skills. It is important to study ahead of time and to not cram!
3. Accountability Partner
Make sure that you have an accountability partner. An accountability partner is a person that you study with. They also remind you to stay focused and hold you accountable for your tasks. Finals are a stressful time, but it can be less stressful if you don’t tackle it alone.
4. Take breaks
While studying, make sure you take breaks. For every 45-50 minutes of studying, take a 15-20 minute break. This allows your brain to take a break and relax, which will allow you to retain more material.
5. Study smart, not hard …
Make sure that you are utilizing your time wisely. Practice efficient study techniques that will test your knowledge of the material. Try using quizlet, taking practice test, or rapid fire questioning.
6. Game time!
You have studied hard and now it is time to reap the benefits. Show up to the testing site early. Remain calm and get plenty of rest before the test. Eat a healthy breakfast and then take the test!
I hope that these tips help. Keep pushing and end the semester strong. You can do it!
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