How to Survive Finals Week

Yup, it’s that time of the year. I can already smell the strong aroma of coffee and see the deep bags under people’s eyes. Classes are over, but the worst has yet to come. The stress of the semester has all boiled down to this final week of exams and papers. But think on the bright side: you’re almost done! You just ‘gotta make it through one more week. Relative to the semester, that’s nothing. You’ve already done fifteen. So relax, take a deep breath, and let me help you make it through this final stretch.

Step 1: Find Your Workspace

Everyone works differently; some people like a completely silent environment and would get frustrated over the mere dropping of a pen, while others need chatter and noise in the background to soothe them. You need to find that study place on campus that works well for you. So first, think about what your habits are and the kind of environment you would work best in. (And be honest with yourself. Saying you would study best at a strip club is simply false. Be serious.) Personally, if I’m just sitting in my room and trying to study, I get very distracted by my computer and somehow feel the need to go on facebook every two seconds, as if something new and exciting is going to suddenly pop up on the screen (aside from those “you have just won $1000” ads, of course). When I had a roommate freshman and sophomore year, I especially found it very difficult to focus when I studied in my room.

Therefore, here are a couple of study locations I suggest you take a look at:

Pickering Educational Resources Library

Mugar Library: Open 24 hours during finals week, so you don’t need to worry about being kicked out. Big library, so lots of places to study. Downside: very crowded during study period. If you don’t like being surrounded by a ton of people when you study, this would not be the best place for you.

Pickering Educational Resources Library: Only open until 9pm, but is a smaller, cozier environment to study in than Mugar. Perk: free tea and coffee if you bring your own mug.

Boston University Hillel: Normally open until 10pm. However, it has extended hours until midnight December 12-14th and is offering free coffee as well. There are a couple lounge areas and quiet study rooms.

Towers Lounge: This was a favorite of mine my freshman year when I lived in Towers. 24 hour study lounge with multiple rooms so the crowd does not get too overwhelming. You also have access to Late Night from 9-12pm, which is great if you want to take a study break and get food. Good smoothies (I’m slightly addicted…kind of craving one just thinking about it).

Step 2: Make Sure You’re Eating!

Speaking of Late Night, make sure you leave room in your study schedule to eat proper meals while you are studying. BRAIN FOOD.  Food is GOOD for you. The sugars will keep your brain running and help you study. Trust me, taking 20 minutes out of your studying to eat will do you a lot more good than bad. Even if you don’t want to take the time to go to a dining hall or make food, there’s a beautiful thing called delivery. No excuse. Try campusfoods.com for takeout options.

Step 3: Take Breaks

Your brain can’t handle an overload of information. You need to give it time to absorb so you won’t go into meltdown mode. Every half hour or so, do yourself a favor and take 5-10 minutes to stand up, stretch, do the hokey pokey (I don’t care if people stare at you. Do it! Make them join in!). Give your brain a breather. Taking mini breaks will actually help you remember the information better, as well as help you relax.

Step 4: Seek Out Help

On December 12th – 14th from 8:00pm – 12:00am the College of Arts and Sciences Student Government will have tutors provided by the ERC available throughout the 3rd floor to help students in an array of subjects ranging from Biology to Calculus. They will also be handing out free coffee and food in CAS 319. Check out the facebook event for the specific classes that tutors will be available for.

Meet with or e-mail your professor if you don’t understand something. Most professors are more than happy to explain a concept to you if you are confused. Professors are people. They want you to do well. TALK TO THEM.

Step 5: GET SLEEP!

I know you have a dire urge to stay up all night studying, but please don’t. I’ve done it before…several times. Not good. It will make you very sick, especially if you don’t sleep for multiple nights in a row. Again, let your brain rest. It will function better on the exam if you give it those 7 hours to relax and absorb all the information you had been cramming into it all day. Sleep is GOOD. Trust me.

And there you have it, folks. Five easy steps to success. If you have any other cool study tips that you’ve come up with, feel free to share them! I’m sure other people will appreciate them.

So take it one step at a time. Relax. You will do well. Happy studying, and enjoy your winter break!

About Leia Poritz

Leia Poritz (CAS '11) is a campus writer for the Quad and currently a Senior at BU majoring in English. She hopes to someday work a publishing company in the editorial and children's literature department. Look out for Leia on the New York Times Bestseller list, because Leia also hopes to publish a bunch of children's fantasy books of her own in the near future.

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