It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Holidays on the horizon means the end of the semester is near… and finals.
We know this can be a stressful time for students. We want you to know your professors are here for you and want to see you succeed. In fact, we have some tips from them on preparing for finals week.
Good luck, students! We believe in you!
Finals Tips from Your Professors:
Christopher Kelps | Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice
“Don’t go into a final thinking of it as a time to be judged, think of it as an opportunity to prove to the world and yourself just how much you’ve learned.”
Lisa Lamson | Assistant Teaching Professor of History and Humanities
“Go to sleep, eat food (maybe a vegetable), and take short breaks. It is a grind, but you will do better by taking short breaks that’ll keep you sane and help you retain information better.”
Ann Mattis | Associate Professor of English, Humanities, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
“Read prompts and rubrics carefully. Email your professor early if confused. Schedule meetings with professors. Prioritize your health. Take breaks when stuck. Trust your preparation. Avoid perfectionism. Set realistic goals.
Stay positive and focused – you’ve got this!”
Kris Purzycki | Associate Professor of Applied Writing and English
“We often get overwhelmed when we focus more on the goal instead of the process. Use the Pomodoro technique to break your time into manageable chunks between working (20 mins) and breaks (5 mins). Time yourself and, if you get distracted, get back on your schedule!”
Katia Levintova | Professor of Political Science and Global Studies (Democracy and Justice Studies)
“Push yourselves to get to that finish line of the semester — it is finally in sight and you can totally do it! Finals are not as scary as people think — you have been preparing for them all semester, so review old material and concentrate on anything you covered since the last assessment.”
Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges | Professor of Psychology
“Being in the best mental state possible is a great way to do your best on finals. One of the best ways to boost your mental health is to spend time in nature – even 5 or 10 minutes per day can help you focus on studying and taking your exams. So bundle up, go outside, and take a walk to restore your brain and boost your mood!”
Aaron Weinschenk | Ben J. and Joyce Professor of Political Science
“Take breaks when you’re studying or working on projects (even if it’s just 5-10 minutes). Stepping away from something you’re working on can really help you focus once you come back to your work!”
Alison Jane Martingano | Assistant Professor of Psychology
“Psychology study hack: state-dependent learning means your brain remembers best when your study vibes match your exam vibes. So, if you’ll be sitting at a particular desk in your favorite pajamas for the test, do the same while you’re studying—even try to match your study caffeine levels to your exam caffeine levels!”
