5 tips to prepare for finals
Finals will be here before you know it! It's never too early to get organized, make a plan and ensure you’re on track to finish the semester successfully.
1. Review your materials
Now is a great time to revisit your syllabus for each class and take note of remaining tests, final projects and key concepts that might be important when it comes to your finals. Attending office hours with your professors is a great way to ask questions, clarify expectations and make sure you are set up to succeed.
2. Know that it's ok to ask for help
The end of the semester can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when taking into account work, activities, relationships and other commitments on top of your academic courseload. There are many academic and non-academic resources available to students to help you feel your best both in and out of the classroom.
- Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP): ASAP offers free peer tutoring to all first-year students and students living on campus, including new transfer students and Bear Creek residents.
- Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS): Meet with a CAPS provider, attend interactive workshops or therapy groups, get community referrals and more.
- Student Support and Case Management (SSCM): Provides support for mental health concerns, family emergencies, food or housing insecurity and more.
3. Make a schedule to stay on top of your assignments
It may be tempting to procrastinate when your assignments begin to pile up. Instead, try making a daily schedule of what you will study, or what projects you will make progress on, and when. Breaking up your work into smaller increments can make the workload feel more manageable. Schedule breaks and allow time for non-academic related activities that you enjoy, as well. Learning how to manage your time can help you now and in the long run.
4. Prioritize self-care
Your body needs adequate sleep, proper nutrition and more to perform at its best. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night and eat nutritious meals to get the most out of your study efforts. Take care of yourself by making wellness a priority, including your relationships and connecting with friends, family and others.
5. Take breaks and have fun!
Finals are important, but they don’t have to take over your life. It’s ok to still spend time with friends, work out, go to events and still be focused on academics. Decide how much time each week you can devote to non-academic activities and stick to that plan.
Check out more resources and tips to finish the semester strong.