One of the downsides to having a trimestral school year is that finals week gets to sneak up on us thrice each year. It’s something that we Lasallians didn’t realize when we decided to study in Taft. But no worries, we at The Menagerie have made a comprehensive cheat sheet for all of you panicking on what to do before the last push of the term. Take a glance, whether you might be a frosh or an experienced veteran—who knows what you might learn.
Step 1: Get into the mental state
The first thing you have to do when preparing for finals week is getting into the proper mental state. How can you be expected to focus on studying if your mind is in disarray, or in a constant state of denial? Something that a lot of people find effective in terms of building concentration is cleaning up their study area. The sense of accomplishment in achieving something, even if it is relatively small, might help clear your mind—and your desk, as well. Need something more? No worries.
In a neighborhood in Flogsta, Sweden, there is a ritual that happens called the Flogsta scream. Most of the residents of that area are university students, and every 10pm, these Swedish students open their windows and scream out their woes and stress away. For all Lasallians ready to buckle under the pressure of their academics—particularly those living in condominiums along Taft—adapting this tradition might just be worth a shot. If it doesn’t relieve the stress, it’ll be relaxing to at least have one last moment of humor before finals week swoops in. Screaming your pain to the world, and having it scream back at you, sounds oddly satisfying.
Step 2: Prepare your stuff
Now that you’ve screamed into the void, the next step is to get all your notes in order—that is, if you do have notes. If not, well, hopefully you’ve built a strong friendship with all your hardworking classmates because now is the time to be the parasite that everybody resents, but helps survive anyway. Pretend you’re best friends with all the smartest people in your classes, and learn as much as you can from them. Everyone understands lessons differently and has varying attention spans in class, so talking to others about their understanding of certain topics can help you comprehend the lessons better yourself—and you might even be able to help another friend or two in need.
Once you’ve gotten a hold of everyone’s notes or your classes’ readings, pick up everything you need photocopied and hold up those lines by getting them all done at once. Take in all those nasty looks you’ll be getting and remember that it’s all fine as long as they aren’t coming from your parents. It would also be helpful if, at this point, you’ve already started computing your grades and figured out what you need to get on your finals to get the grade you want, whether it’s a 4.0 you’re gunning for or a beautiful 1.0. Remember, it’s not over until acing the final exam can’t get you that uno.
Step 3: Keep your eyes open
Are those deadlines and exam dates starting to look too close? If 16 hours of work each day is starting to seem insufficient for memorizing all those terms and equations, it might be time to hoard espressos and Red Bulls because honestly, those sleepless nights are sometimes unavoidable. Pick that nice spot where you won’t be bothered, pretend you have no social life or hobbies, and get ready for an all-nighter or two.
With this said, don’t forget to eat something that’s actually healthy for your body. We all know caffeine is the college student’s source of life, but maybe adding a little variety and nutrition to your diet won’t be too jarring. If you run on nothing but energy drinks, you might feel that buzz early on, but you’re setting yourself up for a crash on the exams themselves.
Step 4: Take chances to raise your grade
Incentives, extra credit, being active in class—anything you can do to add those few extra points, start doing them. Now, it would have been much easier if at the start of the term you had already endeared yourself to your professor, but don’t worry, it might not yet be too late. If you can find the time to write that extra paper, go to that seminar, add a few marks on your recitation, or if truly desperate, do a little sweet talking to your professor, it could pay off. Those two extra points might seem funny now, but if you see your final grade just barely under the passing mark, those two tiny points would have meant the difference between a moment of relief and having to adjust your entire schedule for next term. It’s best not to take chances.
Step 5: Attempt to relax
Done with all your exams and projects? Professors haven’t announced the scores yet? Looks like the term’s over, for the most part. Now you get to relax, but with the eager anticipation and gnawing fear of finding out what your grades are at the back of your head. But once those are out, you’re finally free to start celebrating. And on the unfortunate occasion that your grades didn’t quite make it, allow yourself to cry—but just for a little while. Then pull yourself together, and strive to do better next term. One failed class is hardly the end of the world. Whatever the outcome, the term’s over, and it’s time to start looking ahead.
