Tag Archives: Finals

Advice

Advice From a Senior: How to Survive Finals Week

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Finals week is a stressful time for any college student. Preparing to take your final exams can feel very overwhelming, especially during a pandemic. Fortunately, there are ways you can manage the stress of finals week and feel confident that you’ve done the best you can to prepare yourself for your exams. Here are some of my favorite pieces of advice for surviving finals week:

  1. Get your priorities straight: Sometimes, finals week consists of not only exams but final projects, papers, discussion posts, and so on. I recommend writing out every assignment/exam for each of your classes and indicate which ones will take the longest to do or the ones that you feel will be the most difficult. Prioritize those assignments or exams.
  2. Plan study times: I would highly recommend designating certain time slots throughout finals week for studying. Creating a schedule will motivate you to stick to it and will help you feel less overwhelmed. You can also schedule times for breaks to reward yourself once you’ve studied.
  3. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed: I know firsthand that it’s much easier to let yourself get overwhelmed by the pressure of finals week than to try and fight it. However, panicking will do more harm than good. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a step back from your work, take a few deep breaths, and get back to it when you feel ready. You may feel like taking a break will leave you with less time to study, but giving yourself time to relax will actually help you be more productive when it’s time to study again.
  4. Don’t forget to take care of yourself: During finals week, it can be tempting to pull an all-nighter. Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, it will end up making you feel exhausted which is never a good way to feel before taking a test. Remember to get some sleep and use the free time you have during the day to study rather than staying up all night.
  5. Remind yourself that it’s almost break: Whenever I’m studying really hard for a final exam (when all I actually want to be doing is watching Netflix), I keep reminding myself that by next week, the stress of the semester will be a thing of the past. I constantly tell myself that if I work hard now, it’ll pay off once final grades come out. Remembering those things always motivates me to study.

Good luck on your finals!! Remember: Don’t panic,  do the best that you can, and remember that hard work DOES pay off!

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Academics, Announcements

Finals Week Tips

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Finals week has finally come, though not in the way we had thought it would. Professors have had to change their syllabus and find new ways to teach their students. Finals is a bit tough though. Some have gone from having a test to having a final paper while others have decided to just make the final online. Either way students should still prepare for their finals.

One way to prepare is to go over the notes from class and online work.

It is beneficial to remember most of the information, even if the test is open book / notes. The test will most likely be timed and it will help you to know most of the information rather then looking each question up.

Another way to prepare is to not cram the night before.

Try looking over your notes each day leading up to the test. This goes well with papers as well. Studying or writing your paper the night before is not a good idea. Try doing a little bit each day. This will help you not feel overwhelmed.

If it is an option, skip questions and then go back to them.

Not all professors allow this on their tests, but if you have the option then use it. If you are unsure of the question and can’t find it in your notes skip it and then come back to it. Don’t waste time trying to figure it out and then not have the time for other questions.

Finally, take time to look over your test / paper before you turn it in.

Before turning in any work you should look over it and make sure you have the answers you think are right. Looking over your paper can help you with grammar and spelling. It is important to check your work before you submit.

Good luck to everyone with their finals!

 

Academics, Lifestyle / Hall Life

Helpful Tips To Help You Prep For Finals Week

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It is that time of the year again, the dreadful finals week. All of the 15 weeks of non-stop hard work leads up to this defining moment. Finals week can be intimidating, but very manageable if you plan ahead. Taking the time to fully process finals week and everything that comes with it is very important and can make a huge difference to how things play out. Here are some tips to help you prep for finals week.

 

 

  1. Write down each of your final times in your planner

The finals week schedule comes out early each semester so you can plan ahead and know when your test time is for each class. If you write down the date and time, you can plan out how many days in advance you want to start studying and what time you should get up each day during finals. This is also helpful so you do not forget the time you are supposed to be at a certain exam.

2. Start studying ahead of time

Studying ahead of time can help you learn the topics better and alleviate some stress during finals week. Each student most likely has an exam in each class which can total out to about 5 exams, so making time to study for each one can be tricky. If we utilize the week before finals week to study, we can take extra time to make sure our studying is not rushed and that we have adequate time to study for each exam we have.

3. Plan out time to relax

Finals week is very stressful, so it is also a great idea to take time for yourself and give your brain a rest. If you need a break from studying try taking a walk outside, watching a movie or going to the gym to get your mind off of your exams or projects!

4. Pack up some of your items in your room a week before you move out

Finals week also signifies the end of the semester which means it is time to move out. Moving out can also be an added stress during this already stressful time. To avoid getting even more stressed, try to pack a majority of items in your room that you are not using ahead of time so you do not have to do it last minute. If you live in the residence hall you can find a schedule of the move out times and other information here.

5.  Study with friends

Studying in a group can sometimes be more effective than studying alone. This can be very beneficial because if someone knows some information better than you, they can help you piece together what you are not understanding. Also, you can use the other person for moral support to get to the library and put the appropriate time of studying in.

6. Attend office hours if you have questions or do not understand a topic

If  you are not understanding a topic or have a question, your professor is a great source. This is also a great way to show your professor you are serious about this class and you want to succeed and get a great grade on the final.

7. Stay well rested

Finals week can be very tiring, especially if you are staying up late to prepare for exams night after night. Each night you want to make sure you are getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. This is the recommended amount of sleep a person should get each night and it also gives you the right amount of energy you need  to get through the day.

8. Enjoy your last few days on campus

Whether you are graduating or returning next year, enjoy your last few days on campus! Over the summer you will not see this beautiful campus or a majority of your friends, so make sure you have some fun and make memories before you leave.

 

We hope everyone has a great finals week and may the odds be ever in your favor! Tweet us @VilleHousing if you have any finals tips to pass along.

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Academics, Lists

Tips For Surviving Finals Week

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?“It’s the most stressful time of the year.”? Yes Marauders, it is Finals Week. Finals week is one of the most stressful weeks in the whole semester. Somehow during this time you have what feels like a hundred papers due and an exam in almost every class. Tensions can run high and you may pull all nighters just to prepare for your exams. To get through this tough time, I created a list of some tips I have accumulated to successfully get through the storm.

 

  1. Start Early.

If you start studying or creating a study plan early, you will feel less overwhelmed when finals week arrives.

2. Stay Well-Rested

Getting a good amount of sleep each night is essential to feeling well-rested. This will also give you higher energy levels to get the right amount of studying done each day.

3. Attend Office Hours

This is a huge tip! Attending office hours can be very beneficial because it gives you one-on-one time with your professor to ask any questions on material you may not understand. Also, this is a big way to show your professors you are serious about your work and you are trying your best with the material. This can be very beneficial when grading comes around.

4. Create a Plan and Stick To It

If you have a plan in place, you are less likely to stray from it. This will act as a motivator to get your studying  done daily and to cross things off your checklist. I have to say crossing things off your checklist is one of the best feelings.

5.  Don’t Stick Strictly to the Study Guide

If your professors give you a study guide, make sure you also look at information that was not on it. Professors mainly give study guides to give students an idea of what can be on the test, but they might also add other information to make sure you reading the material and know it very well.

6.  Take Study Breaks

Sometimes spending too much time studying  without a break can be bad for your brain. If you take small breaks in between certain content, it can be beneficial. For example, you can take a quick walk outside or watch a short video in between.

7. Do Not Study In Your Bed

One of my biology teachers taught me this tip in high school and it has always stuck with me. Your brain associates your bed with sleep and relaxation, so when you try to study in your bed, you are less productive and you can disrupt your sleep patterns. The next time you will go to sleep, your body will take more time to adjust to it and you may lose out on hours of sleep.

8. Create Acronyms or Rhymes To Memorize Lists or Difficult Information

This is a very helpful tip that I use when I study. When I have to know long lists of steps or types of information, I create an acronym to spell out the first letter of every word. This is kinda like how teachers would use PEMDAS in elementary school to remember math operations. For example, this acronym stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication , division, addition and subtraction.

9. Review Your Notes Daily

Taking time each day to review your notes will pay off in the long run. When test time rolls around, you will know the information better and be able to recognize the words in the questions quickly.

10. Dress Nice To Your Finals

“Dress well, test well” simply implies that those who dress well on the day of their exam or presentation are likely to perform better, or at least feel, better. Dressing nicer makes you feel more confident with the information and may help you do better.

11. Put Your Phone On Do Not Disturb or Turn It Off

Your phone can take away time from your studying and distract you from learning the information. Turn your phone off during your time studying to avoid this distraction and to decrease your time spent on one subject.

12. Eat Healthy

If you eat foods that are unhealthy and that do not provide nutrients, they can make you feel groggy. This can make you feel lazy and make you not want to study even more. Instead of choosing fried food or a bag of chips , eat a salad or some apples. Your body will thank you later.

13. Have a Positive Mindset

You are not going to get anywhere or have any confidence in yourself if you do not have a positive mindset. Studies have also shown that if you write positive affirmations on your exams, you will do better because it will make you more confident in your responses.

14. Study With Other People in Your Class

Having other people to study the information with you, will help you learn the information as well as teach you new study techniques. This is also good because if someone knows some information better than you, they can help you piece together what you are not understanding.

15.  Treat Yourself

This is a tough week and you are putting a lot of time into your studies, you deserve to treat yourself with a candy or maybe a coffee you like. Don’t feel bad about treating yourself or taking the time to do something you love, you deserve it!

We would like to wish everyone good luck on their final projects and exams! Stay motivated and do your best!

 

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Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Hall Life

Quotes to Get You Through Your ‘Burnout’

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As college students it is very common for us to feel the sensation of ‘burnout’. This feeling very often comes right after we come back to school from Thanksgiving break to make our final stretch. We are experiencing  a cycle of ongoing stress, we are tired, lose motivation and are focused on other things like the holidays instead of our upcoming tests. The last couple weeks of the semester are very hard and after a break we do not want to get back into the work loads ahead of us. If you need motivation to make that last push and ace your finals, here are some inspirational quotes to get you back on the grind.

 

  1. “Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.
  2. “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to  bed with satisfaction.” – George Lorimer
  3. “Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder.” – Mason Cooley
  4.  “A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.”
  5. “Destiny is for losers; it’s just a stupid excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen.” – Blair Waldorf
  6. “Sometimes, you need to step outside get some air and remind yourself who you are and where you want to be.” – Gossip Girl
  7. “There is no secret to success. It is the result of preparation , hard work and learning from failure.” – General Colin Powell
  8. “When it’s finals week and you’ve been studying for five hours straight, you need three things to get you through the night. The biggest Slurpee you can find, half cherry half Coke. Pajama pants, the kind that have been washed so many times they are tissue-paper thin. And finally, dance breaks. Lots of dance breaks.” – Jenny Han
  9. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
  10. “You are so close to the victory, don’t you dare give up now.”
  11. “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Kerim Seddiki
  12. “Don’t let perfection become procrastination.” Danielle LaPorte
  13. “Don’t study because you need to. Study because knowledge is power. Study because they can never take it away from you. Study because you want to know more. Study because it enhances you. Study because it grows you.” – Anonymous
  14. “Recipe for success: Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.” – William A. Ward
  15. “Don’t stop until you’re proud.”

Happy studying! Good luck on all of your upcoming exams and projects and may the curve be ever in your favor.

Cover photo courtesy of Canva. 

Lists

Best Study Spots On Campus

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Finals season is approaching and for many of us it is time to start putting our study plans into place. This time can be stressful and nerve-racking , but creating a schedule and sticking to it can help your grade. For me, I like to plan out when I will study for each of my exams. Another helpful tip I use is to make sure I am comfortable and focused  in the area I am studying. There are many different places to study and each of them have their pros and cons. Here is my list of the best places to study on campus.

  1. Study Rooms in the Residence Halls

Pros: These study rooms are very quiet and you also do not need to leave the comfort of your hall to trek to another spot. They also have whiteboards to help you study.

Cons: They are rarely empty because students fill them up real quick when no one is occupying them. 

2. Study Rooms on the 5th Floor in the Library

Pros: These spots are very private and provide a big area to study with friends. They also have TVs in the rooms incase you are working on something that needs to be presented.

Cons: These rooms are very hard to get and they are always taken by students. Also, there are not a lot of them.

 

This is a picture of my favorite study room. The room is very big, has a couch and many windows to look out!

3. Area Behind Starbucks

Pros: This is the perfect spot if you do not need to really focus on something. This area is close to Starbucks, so it is easy to get a pick-me-up while you’re studying. The big tables are also nice to spread your work on.

Cons: Sometimes this spot can get noisy because of its proximity to Starbucks. It also gets very busy around common hour.

4. The 6th Floor of the Library

Pros: This is the quiet floor of the library , so it is a very good place to go if you need to focus. There are also many individual desks.

Cons: Sometimes I feel self-conscious of the noise I am making which makes me uncomfortable. Many people go on this floor, so it is hard to find a seat.

5. Saxby’s

Pros: This is a great spot if you have work that does not require a lot of focus. This is also a good spot to meet with friends to get work done because of the large tables and location. It is also closer to the residence halls than the library or Starbucks.

Cons: It can get very noisy with people coming in to grab dinner or the music they play. During the day it gets very busy, so it is hard to study there.

If you have a favorite study spot, tweet us! Our username is @villehousing . Happy studying!

Cover photo courtesy of Canva.