Pilar Singleton provides advice for surviving finals week based on her experience as a college senior. She recommends planning ahead from the start of the semester by taking thorough notes and considering what may be on the final exam. It is important to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat healthy foods to retain information effectively. Students should balance their time by creating a schedule to study while also maintaining balance. Some things to avoid are overusing focus enhancers, pulling all-nighters, cramming, and allowing distractions to interfere with study time. With proper preparation and balance, students can successfully survive finals week.

1. Pilar Singleton
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Surviving Finals
That time of year that we all dread is right around the corner…FINALS, and the best
thing to do prepare for them. As a senior in college I have gone through finals week more than
once and I know what to do, and what not to do to survive. I know that some bad habits are hard
to get rid of and I am not perfect at what I do, but it has gotten me this far, and I am here to help
you.
When it comes to preparing for finals I have a couple of Do’s and Don’ts that you should
follow…
DO…
Plan Ahead: In all reality you should start planning for your finals on the first day of
class. I know no one does this and to some this may seem almost impossible, but if you start
taking proper notes at the beginning of the semester and thinking about what will be on the final
while you are doing so, you will be even more prepared when it comes to taking your final, and
you will have less work to do because you will already know the information. Plan ahead don’t
let life plan you.
Get enough sleep: If you are well rested when it comes to preparing for a test, the better
you will retain the information. It is also better to be rested before and during a test. You don’t
want to be thinking about going to sleep while you are taking the test. Take it from someone who
has felt like this during more than one test. Don’t be caught snoozing on your scantron.
Exercise and eat Healthy foods: I know this is hard to do and I am even guilty of not
doing this but, when you exercise and eat a proper diet your brain is more likely to retain the
information that you take in while you are studying. Who would have thought that partying and
eating pizza were not proper ways to prepare for a test.

2. Pilar Singleton
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Balance everything: This tie into all three getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising
and planning ahead. You will be able to do everything that I have mentioned if you create a plan
for when it all will be done. This will then give you time to balance everything. It would help to
have a planner or a calendar that will let you know what you have planned for the day. Don’t be
caught over loaded with work be sure to come up with a way to handle it all.
DON’T…
Over consume focus enhancers: Taking unprescribed medication such as Adderall,
Ritalin, caffeine enhancers or drinking more than the needed amount of energy drinks or mixing
energy drinks with alcohol. This can be dangerous to your health. Please keep your hands off of
med’s that don’t belong to you during finals.
Pull an all-nighter: Get enough sleep, the night before you test. As I mentioned on the
Do’s you are more likely to focus while you are taking your test if you get enough sleep the night
before, and you don’t want to be caught snoozing on your scantron.
Cram for an exam: I know that as college students we all have a life with a billion other
things going on and it is really hard to try not to do this but if you plan ahead when it comes to
studying for your finals you will better retain the information when you spread out your studying
and not do everything the night before. Don’t be caught cramming for an exam.
Allow distractions to get the best of you: The college life brings upon a ton of
distractions and I know that some are uncontrollable but some can be held off until after finals
are over such as, TV shows, video games, and partying/going out. When you give up something
that you love even just to study for finals you appreciate it even more when you are able to go
back to it again. Don’t let video games play you.

3. Pilar Singleton
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I end this addition of Surviving Finals, wishing you all good luck and telling you that
the good thing about finals are than when you are done with them you are done with that course
and that is one thing that you can cross off of your list. J