The last of autumn’s leaves are falling off the trees as winter approaches. Snowfall and ice decorate the mountains and Fairview’s first semester is coming to an end. The end of the year brings cramming, late nights, energy drinks, stress, and of course, the dreaded finals. 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you survive this final week. 

       1. Declutter your study spaces

It’s easy to let old papers, dirty cups, and other miscellaneous objects pile up on your desk. Take some time to clean and organize your space before settling down for a long study session– it’ll minimize distractions, maximize space, and overall improve your motivation and productivity. 

       2. Make review sheets

Reviewing an entire semester’s worth of material for 6-7 classes can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you don’t know. To tackle this, make a review sheet for each class. Organize it with units, subunits, and specific skills and concepts you need to know. To determine what goes on your review sheets, look at old tests and notes. 

       3. Plan out your days and stick to the schedule

Take some time in the morning (or the night before) to plan out your day. It doesn’t need to be detailed, but make sure it’s manageable AND realistic— include assignments you need to complete, designated breaks, and healthy meals/hydration goals. For more structure, include time goals for each task. However, this only works if you stick to the schedule, so check it frequently throughout the day!

       4. Steer clear of energy drinks

While it may seem tempting to down a Red Bull and lock in to your math review, energy drinks can be detrimental to your health in the long run. That’s not to say caffeine is bad; it’s a great tool when you need an extra boost of energy at the start of the day. But many energy drinks contain taurine. Taurine is a chemical that, when incorporated into energy drinks, can be harmful to the heart (it’s even banned in France!). Instead, opt for coffee or caffeinated teas that don’t contain taurine. A sweet and practical trick is to add coffee to hot chocolate. 

       5. Pace yourself

Although studying for four hours straight seems productive, it’s exhausting and unsustainable. Your body can’t handle that kind of stress for several days straight. Plan breaks in-between study sessions to eat a snack, take a walk, or even just sit and do nothing. Try to avoid doom scrolling— you’ll become more unfocused and tempted to extend your breaks. Use study methods like the Pomodoro method (25 minute sessions with 5 minute breaks) and stop anytime you’re feeling sick or too tired; your health should come first. 

       6. Get sleep

This one might seem obvious, but get sleep. Poor sleep can impair your ability to perform mental tasks, which is the last thing you need right before that chemistry final. Not only this, but you’ll feel better, physically and emotionally. Aim for more than 8 hours of sleep a night but if that’s not feasible, aim for 6+. 

       7. Listen to white noise, lofi beats, or classical music

Working for hours in dead silence can be grueling. Listen to lofi beats and classical music to fill the space and help you focus (music with lyrics can be distracting). On the other side of the spectrum, working in busy areas like the library can be distracting and hard to focus. White noise is a great tool to drown out background noise and help you lock in. Pro tip: Headphones are less irritating to your ears than earbuds!

       8. Use the final grade calculator

RogerHub makes a final grade calculator, where you input information about your current grade, your desired grade, the weight of the final, etc. The final grade calculator uses these to calculate what grade you need on the final. If you only need a 45% on that science final to pass with an A, focus your studying on other areas. 

       9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Whether that means reaching out to a friend, working with an NHS tutor, or going to your teacher’s office hours, it’s always a good idea to get a fresh perspective or ask for clarification when you’re confused.

       10. Use the DND setting on your devices

Finally, use the “do not disturb” setting to mute notifications and minimize distractions while studying. It’ll help with productivity and keeping off screens and social media!

Hopefully this list gave you all the tips and info you need for surviving this semester’s finals. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to take care of yourself. Don’t push yourself too hard, don’t neglect your needs, and do your best!