Zihan

Finals week is only two weeks ahead. It sounds a little bit overwhelming. Maybe you want to be ready but don’t know where to start. Here are some tips to help you survive this vital season.

1. Live a balanced life
   In order to be prepared for finals, you will not only need to get all the terms and definitions ready, but, more importantly, your body needs to get rested each night and to be fed with good food. So it is important to get enough sleep at night and eat a rainbow of foods during the day. Getting some exercise is also good for you!

2. Be present with what you are doing

• Pay attention on every lecture, discussion and group work.
• Stay completely focused when doing homework, reviewing, taking practice tests, etc.
• Jump into your work right away! Don’t play with cell phones before doing your work. Put them away and try not to think of them.

3. Keep good studying habits that you have
   The best way to study may vary from person to person. You know how you will study the best. So stick with whatever you are comfortable with because it is your personalized weapon on the final war. One piece of advice that I want to share here is that the classes won’t be a struggle if you put faith and passion on them. Let’s say: “We can do this!” instead of “It’s too hard. We are giving it up.”

4. Ask other people or web resources for help if you have tried all solutions

• Go to professors and TAs’ office hours. Don’t be afraid of your professors. They are here to help you. Most professors and TAs are really friendly and are eager to listen my concerns and problems that I have met. The first step is to open their doors with a big smile and say hi.
• Here are lots of FREE tutoring resources on campus.
  For math, you can go to the mathlab on the 2^nd floor of MacLean Hall.
  For Engineering students, there is 3124 Tutoring Center that can handle most of the Engineering classes. (My resources are really limited, sorry)

• On-line teaching videos or lecture, etc.
  Also, there are tons of tutoring sections in the residents halls. Check out for those resources and utilize them. You will benefit from that.

5. Choose your study spot wisely

• Quiet study place: All kinds of libraries. 2^nd to 5^th floor, Main library are designed quiet study places.
• Group study area: 1^st floor, Main library common rooms; Computer labs, etc.

6. Relax—Try your best

Take a deep breath, you need to feed your brain with enough oxygen before any testing.

Hope they are helpful!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 at 9:26 am and is filed under Academics, . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.