Megan Jennings is a fourth-year honors student from Little Rock, Arkansas, majoring in advertising and public relations. She is the current social media intern for the Honors College, and also serves as the Social Media and Greek Life Chair for the Mental Health Awareness Organization on campus. Photos by Shepherd Molinari.
Final exams. The two words every college student hates the most (except, perhaps, “final project” or “final paper”). Unfortunately, for some reason, exams never seem to get easier. I’m a senior now and like to think that I have fairly good study habits. However I still dread the week in December where I have to shut myself in my room or fight for a spot in Mullins so I can spend hour upon hour studying.
It often feels like this is a time when I really struggle with my mental health — I’m anxious about exams and what my future could look like simply because of a test grade. The fact that it gets dark at 5 p.m. doesn’t seem to help either.
While we’re eager to make good grades on our exams and pass our classes with flying colors, we need to prioritize our mental health, too. You won’t be able to perform well on your final tests if you’re too anxious or too depressed to put forth the time and effort needed to do well. As a senior, I have a few tips on how to prioritize your grades and your mental health during exam week.
Sophomore Michelle Magana, an international economics major/Spanish minor, gets some fireside study time in the Honors Student Lounge.
1. Start now.
It’s so easy to procrastinate, but it’s also really easy to prepare for final exams a little bit each day so you’re not overwhelmed during finals week. Make a study plan and get all of your notes and materials together. Review a little bit each day.
Pro tip: Our lounge offers the best nap on campus! Our photographer, mechanical engineering major Shepherd Molinari, demonstrates. (And don’t worry, we won’t take photos if you need a little shut eye.)
2. Get plenty of sleep.
While pulling an all-nighter may seem like the best way to cram before your test, it may hurt your grade instead of help. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to the onset or worsening of a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Lack of sleep can also lead to poor academic performance. Your mental health is especially fragile during exam week due to additional stress, so it is so important to get your eight hours in!
Cami Miranda, a sophomore majoring in political science, makes notes in her planner.
3. Stay organized.
Even if you haven’t used a planner or calendar all semester, use one for finals week. Write down when your exams are instead of trying to just remember them. Plan out when you’re going to study for which exam.
Michelle collects her drink at the Starbucks in the Student Success Center.
4. Take study breaks.
I’ve found that if I study for a period of time and then take a break before studying again, I learn the material better. Study breaks can also help us feel motivated. Take a walk, go get coffee with friends, read a book, or even do some household chores. Or, attend Recess @ the H! Your study break doesn’t have to be extravagant but taking a short amount of time to do something for yourself will improve your focus and leave you feeling motivated.
Olivia Vedock (left), a biomedical engineering major, and Elizabeth Floeck, a communications sciences and disorders major, take advantage of the tutoring space in the Student Success Center.
5. Take advantage of campus resources.
The university has a variety of academic resources available to help students. Class+, the tutoring at the Student Success Center, Student Support Services, and the Math Resource and Tutoring Center are just a few examples of the academic resources that are free for students. Additionally, CAPS provides a variety of resources for students’ mental health, such as individual counseling or their relaxation room.
Finals are hard, and it’s easy for our grades to drop and our mental health to decline if we don’t take care of ourselves. By following the tips above, you can prioritize your grades and your mental health this exam week. Good luck studying!
Our blogger, Megan Jennings, and Honors College ambassadors Michelle Magana, Elizabeth Floeck, Olivia Vedock and Cami Miranda on a Starbucks run in the Student Success Center.
Links for additional campus resources: