For most UBC Students, finals season is one of the most stressful and daunting times in university. While it’s easy to feel discouraged and overwhelmed by the stress, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there are various tricks and tips that students can undertake to keep our spirits up and stay motivated. Here are 4 study tips to help students prepare for and get through this upcoming exam season.
1) Plan Ahead of Time
We all know how stressful and overwhelming it can be when trying to “absorb” 5 courses worth of content a week before our exams, which often never ends well. And no, sleeping with your textbook under your pillow does not work, unfortunately. A solution to this problem is to schedule your study in advance. While it might sound like a daunting task, having a study schedule in place weeks before finals would not only ensure that you cover all your study material in time, but also allows you to have time to do things that you enjoy, such as play your favourite sport or watch Netflix.
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2) Take Study Breaks
Yes, studying is important, but it’s just as important to take regular breaks to allow your body and brain to recharge. Schedule in short 5-15 minute breaks for every hour of study to do something you find relaxing and enjoyable, such as go on a walk or run. This would prevent study fatigue and help maintain your focus and motivation during the exam season and weeks leading up to it.
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3) Study with Friends
For some of us, finals season signals our “hibernation” period where we find ourselves alone in our rooms all day with our textbooks. Break this mundanity easily by studying with your roommates or schedule a zoom study session with friends. Studying with friends can not only improve your mood and confidence, but also reinforce learning through testing and helping out one another.
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4) Get Adequate Sleep
Most of us, whether we like to admit it or not, have experienced staying up late in order to complete an assignment and understand the unpleasant feeling of restlessness and exhaustion that hits the next day. When carrying out the first tip of having a schedule in place, remember to allocate ample time for a good night’s sleep. Adequate sleep aids in learning and memory, as well as prevent us from falling ill during this critical period of time.
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