I would say I really struck gold this semester; I have only one final exam.

That’s not to say my other classes are getting off easy, though. I do still have a presentation and some final papers to turn in, but I only have one exam that occurs during finals week. Sadly, it’s a 7:30 a.m. exam, but it’s online so I can do it in my PJs! But even with one true exam and a few papers, I’m still feeling the stress. It can be tempting to procrastinate studying for finals until the night before and believe me, I’ve been fighting the studying for a while. And when I do get to studying, it’s hard to try and review an entire semester’s worth of information. But at the University of Iowa, there are so many options to get you de-stressed and motivated for finals! 

The University offers really helpful tips for studying, both through workshops and the UI counseling service page. One of the biggest things I’ve taken from these tips is to eliminate distractions. Carving out specific times dedicated to studying (and sticking to that schedule) combined with removing all distractions like TV, your phone, or video games can get you in the mood to study. It also helps you focus on the material and get the most out of your learning. Though it’s definitely hard the first few times, you’ll get the hang of it. 

I also think it’s important to take time for yourself. The University has fun clubs that can help with de-stressing, such as ArtHawks, which offers studio days to just be creative with all kinds of art mediums. The University also has programs and events that happen at the IMU or through the Honors Program. My advice is to try and keep up with these announcements and take advantage of the events. 

Lastly, it’s okay to not do as well on a test as you hoped, but it’s never okay to give up on it! There’s always a chance you could surprise yourself at the end of the semester if you really put in the work and study hard for the final. I know plenty of people who have struggled in a class but still passed because they had the dedication. Don’t be afraid of failure, and don’t think less of yourself after a test; it’s best to hold your head high and keep pushing through!