Starbucks is getting around-the-clock business. The library is packed at all hours of the day and night. Quiet hours are being enforced in dorms.
Upperclassmen already know the drill when it comes to finals, but freshmen are experiencing college finals for the first time. In order to help out those stressing about finals (especially first semester freshmen), we decided to get some study tips from seniors.
“You should study alone and not with other people,” said Lipscomb senior Kimberly Richardson. Study groups have their advantages, but in most situations other people are more distracting than they are helpful.
Amber Hammond emphasized the importance of study guides. “Make flashcards and study guides and make sure to take short breaks so you don’t burn out,” she said.
Take advantage of any study guides professors give you, and if they don’t give them to you, make your own. You will save yourself so much time later if you make study guides and flash cards ahead of time.
Before you sit down to study for a long period of time, it might be a good idea to get something to drink. Water will keep you hydrated, and if you need a caffeine boost, a tasty Starbucks drink is always a good choice.
“If you need coffee to stay awake, that’s good. But don’t drink too much,” said Kayleigh Butterfield. “You’ll be too hyper to get your papers written.”
“Make a schedule where you break up the studying with other stuff that you have to do,” said Samantha Billingsley. “If you’re going to alternate with television, fine, but watch a comedy, not a drama.”
Sarah Watwood recommended a little high-tech help. “There’s a self-control app that you can use that blocks any websites that you feel are prohibiting your productivity,” she said. A good way to avoid social media distractions is to get rid of them entirely.
The app she mentioned is called Self Control, which blocks whatever sites you decide are distractions for a certain amount of time. It can’t be unblocked by anything, not even turning off the computer, until the allotted time has elapsed, so only use it if you really need to focus.
While you are studying, try not to be annoyed with other students on campus. Your fellow students may seem like the most annoying people in the universe, especially when they are screaming outside your window at midnight, but they are just as stressed as you are.
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