Study smarter, not harder

The thought of finals sends chills up your spine, doesn't it? It is a week of long library hours, study sessions, and late night food ordering. Do not let the stress of finals overwhelm you. Take the time to relax, and you will see that you will perform better come exam time. Here are some tips to make the best of your finals experience.

Don't plan to study nonstop; schedule study breaks. Take breaks to recharge, eat with friends or get some packing done. A key aspect of surviving finals week is sleep. Make sure you get sleep during finals week (even if it's in blocks of three to four hours). You have a limited amount of time to study, so make sure you use the time wisely. Prioritize which classes you need to focus on more. It's never too late to get help - visit campus resources such as the Q Center and talk to your TAs and professors. Do not hesitate to e-mail and or make an appointment with your TAs or professors if you need to.

Skimming the first few sentences and the key words in a chapter is a simple study tip. It is difficult to reread everything from the semester. By reading the first and key sentences, one can recall the information learned. It's also helpful to read the sentences that contain bold words, as these are important terms or phrases. Review past tests, quizzes and homework assignments. Usually, there will be questions from past tests and quizzes if the final is cumulative. If the final is not cumulative, the midterm will give you an idea of how the final will be.

While study cards may be very "middle school," they still work well. The cards can be used to study important terms and concepts, formulas, and even quotes from reading assignments. Writing the material on the cards helps students to remember the information during the exam, and the cards are easy to transport for quick study breaks throughout the day.

Do not overuse energy-boosters such as caffeine or energy drinks. It is okay to use a normal amount (as much as you would on an average day), but it wouldn't be wise to drink 10 Red Bulls before an all nighter. You can have trouble digesting the information you need to absorb and, worst case scenario, stay up so long that you finally crash during the test and give a poor performance.

Be sure to carefully select your study setting. Everyone has different studying preferences. Whether you like music or silence in the background, or lying around or having a large clean desk, take into consideration what setting you perform well in before going somewhere to study. Also, choose you study partners wisely. Do not study with friends, but instead with classmates or alone. Unless your friend is studying for the same subject, all you will do is just talk about other things. Studying is always a great excuse to spend time with that someone you find attractive. Word of advice, don't do this during finals.

Deep breathing exercises can relieve stress. Sit up straight and place your hands on your stomach. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, let your stomach expand. Hold your breath for a few seconds before exhaling and exhale very slowly through your mouth. Repeat this cycle 3-4 times each session.

Muscle relaxation is another great way to relieve tension from the body and feel less stress. Begin by tensing all the muscles in your face. Hold this for 10 counts as you inhale. After 10 counts, exhale and relax completely. Feel the tension leave your facial muscles. Continue using this technique down your body on different muscle groups. Massages also help relieve stress. By massaging muscles, you put your body in a relaxed state.

Exercise is an effective way to release stress from your body because you use up the adrenaline that is already in your system due to stress. Less adrenaline in your system increases the potential for relaxation. Aerobic activities, such as running, are great because they release adrenaline.