By Derek Krayenhagen—With finals right around the corner college students are fretting and stressing. Most of this stressing could have been negated if we all weren’t such procrastinators and this is definitely the pot calling the kettle black.
I could be the worst procrastinator at Morningside College but I do know how to avoid it when it comes to “crunch” time. Here’s what you need to do when the pressure is on and it’s time to perform.
Stop napping and sleep at night. Everyone knows that college students nap but when it comes to getting things done, get a good night sleep. This will definitely help you in the long run and you can use that nap time as preparing time instead.
Use note cards to prepare for tests. Note cards are great for studying and preparing for things. Also, don’t study the night before but maybe an entire week before. Using note cards and studying a week before the test or at least starting to study when the professor gives the study guide out will help you do better on tests. Don’t study the night before the test but start earlier so you will retain the information easier.
Utilize study groups. Study groups are another awesome thing about college. Most of your peers who are somewhat in relation with you will invite you to study groups. This is great for interacting with people and getting different perspectives on topics. Studying this way is fun and it won’t feel like studying as much.
Avoid cell phones and TV’s when studying or doing assignments. TV and cell phones are a huge distraction and they need to be set aside so you can get your business done. These things will be there when you get done but you have a deadline and those are important.
When in doubt live by the motto: College comes first. College is important for relationships and activities but if you have homework or tests to prepare for and also someone wants you to go out, college comes first. This isn’t saying you can’t have fun but make sure you give yourself adequate amount of time to get your ducks in a row first, sometimes that means not going out when you really want to. We are responsible adults now and it sucks!
The biggest thing I think to remember is to relax. College is stressful and hard, it’s supposed to be. If we get caught up in this then we forget that everything will be just fine. Remember that there are thousands of college students out there feeling the same way you are, thousands more who have graduated and gone through the same rigors as we have. They all got through it and so will we. Take a breath and relax because you will get through it.
Most of these things people know and they know they should do these things but we don’t! I could write the article for a perfect “A” and most people would be like that is easy enough but the thing is we HAVE TO DO IT. We can’t just say it; we have to do and that is the hardest part. If you DO these things then you will get solid test scores and feel less stress when it comes to the end of the year.
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