3 Tips for Getting Through Finals Week

A few suggestions for facing the overwhelm

Last week, a student asked me if I had any “motivating words” to help her get through finals. But try as I might, I was at a loss for anything better than “Hang in there; it’s almost over!”

(Does anyone else remember those “Hang in there!” motivational posters with a cat hanging out of a tree?)

“Hang in there” has been my own consistent mantra over the past couple of weeks. But rather than share that unhelpful advice, I suggested another trick I often use: Promise yourself a reward once you get through it.

Personally, I’m looking forward to getting margaritas with a friend once I hit “submit” on my students’ final grades.

Because ultimately, no amount of motivating words straight from a cat poster are likely to help much. Fortunately, there are a few actionable tips and tricks that can help us all face the overwhelm—now and in future semesters.

How to Deal with Overwhelm as a Student

This advice might come a tad late now, but the best way to manage college overwhelm is to make a plan from the first day of classes.

We all tend to procrastinate. I’m as guilty of this as anyone. But if you want to avoid overwhelm and have the certainty that “you’ve got this” come finals time, you have to schedule study time throughout the semester.

I know we’ve all heard the advice, but I can’t emphasize enough why cram sessions are a terrible idea. They’re not merely terrible because the brain is bad at retaining information this way. They also cause undue stress.

When you’re constantly scrambling at the last minute to get things done, you will naturally feel overwhelmed. But, when you schedule a little time each day to review your notes or complete steps on a paper or project, you avoid this.

Of course, I’m as guilty as anyone of putting things off. Sometimes, you just don’t feel like doing a thing. I’ve been there; I get it. 

So the real question, then, is how do we actually motivate ourselves to get it done when getting it done is the last thing we feel like doing?

Tip #1: Break Big Tasks into Small Steps

First, recognize that what’s often behind our tendency to procrastinate is that feeling of overwhelm that comes from facing a big project like writing a paper or studying for an exam. In other words, we procrastinate because the work seems like too much.

If this is your challenge, one way to help motivate yourself is to break things into small steps and just do that one thing. For example: Just review your notes for 15 minutes. Just brainstorm ideas for that research paper. Or just write a thesis statement.

Just take one small step at a time. Then, do the next step. Then the next.

If you’ve planned ahead, you can schedule out these tasks and complete just one a day. But, even if your paper is due tomorrow, this strategy can still work. It just takes some mind games.

Instead of telling yourself you have to write a 15-page research paper, just tell yourself you only have to brainstorm ideas right now. Once that’s done, tell yourself you just have to find some articles to support your ideas. Then, set the next small step. For example, you just have to make an outline.

Likewise, if you find yourself — like most students — cramming for exams, try thinking about studying one topic or section at a time and taking breaks in between. Movement and snack breaks are especially useful for recharging your brain.

Often, once we get the ball rolling, it feels much easier to keep going. Taking things one step at a time will help you build that momentum so you can push through.

Tip #2: Establish Routines

Another factor behind procrastination is routine. In other words, we don’t get things done because they’re not a built-in part of our day.

As a result, the day goes by, and then the next day, and the next, and “suddenly,” we’re facing down that 15-page research paper that’s due tomorrow, or we need to pull an all-nighter to prep for that big exam.

So, it helps to make study or homework time a regular part of your routine. Set aside the same time every day to study or work on your class assignments and projects. Schedule it in your calendar to ensure it’s dedicated time and you don’t forget. 

Then, even if you have no homework to work on on any given day, don’t brush off that time. Ensure you at least review your notes or take steps toward a big project.

And remember, these daily sessions don’t have to take a lot of time. You could schedule in as little as 15 to 30 minutes a day, which will always feel far less overwhelming than the 15 or more hours it might take to write a research paper when you save it for the night before it’s due.

Plus, just like brushing your teeth or working out every day, it gets easier once it becomes a habit. Soon, it will feel natural and less like you have to fight yourself to get it done.

Ideally, you’ll have made this plan early in the semester. But even if you’re trying to cram for finals, it can still help to sit down with your calendar and block out times for study sessions. 

You can even schedule these times with classmates. Study groups can make the task more fun and also give you accountability to ensure it happens.

Tip #3: Use Rewards

Of course, while adjustments are possible, both of the above strategies work best when you’ve planned ahead. So, if you find yourself, like many students, cramming for your exams at the end of a semester and just can’t find the will to muster through, go the rewards route. 

After all, finals week is stressful even when you have studied all semester. So, regardless of whether you’ve planned ahead, you deserve an end-of-the-year celebration to congratulate yourself for surviving it.

So go ahead and promise yourself that margarita (only if you’re 21 or over, of course!) or whatever else feels great to you. Because, hey, you’ve made it!

Got any great time management or study tips for getting through finals? Share in the comments!