Career Blog
Time flies very quickly as we are heading toward the end of the winter semester and slowly getting ready for summer jobs and internships. In order to get to those joyful points we all need so badly, we must face a period of sleepless nights and hours spent in the library, reading pages of materials, and memorizing countless formulas and facts – the finals period. What can we do to reduce the stress and the pressure we are experiencing in order to finish the semester strong?
Here are some tips to overcome the final exams:
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Get your life together: Yes, this is the first tip to finish the semester strong. If you find yourself showing up at every party, skipping classes, slacking through the semester, always doing your assignments at the last minute, or studying only for the midterms, etc., you must “Get your life together” before the storm. The final exams are not getting any easier, and they might be even harder than the midterms. You will be asked to memorize and understand the material of the entire courses. It is wise to start attending fewer parties and more classes.
- Be well organized: Try to come up with a plan, a strategy to approach the final exams, and work hard to maintain it. A well-designed plan is a plan that is tailored to your timetable, suited you in every way and designed to benefit you the most. Be wise when making a study plan.
- Do not procrastinate: I cannot stress this enough, but do not ever procrastinate, especially during the final exams. This is the time for you to study hard, dedicate hours of reviewing course materials. One day of procrastination may cost you an entire exam. Be aware of the time: the final exams are closer than you think.
- Get enough sleep and water: Staying hydrated will clear your mind and make you ready for hours of studying. Also, getting enough sleep is vital. Pulling an all-nighter is never the best option as your body will be exhausted after a long period of sleepless nights. Throughout the day, you will lose your concentration and start feeling drowsy. Sleep also promotes mental health. A lack of sleep puts more stress on your brain and that’s the last thing you want during the finals.
- Ask for help: There are numerous resources that you can reach out to: your professors (who have office hours), your mentors, teacher assistants, etc. They are here to help you succeed. Don’t be afraid to contact them for questions, concerns, and difficulties. After all, you cannot always find a relevant answer on Google.
With that being said, the finals are approaching and it is wise to be on your feet instead of waiting until the last minute to cram up the entire course in your head the night before the exam. That approach never gives pleasant results.
With the finals season a couple of days away, here are three tips to ace your exams in a new context.
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Make a study schedule and stick to it
Although you may have more time on your hands, it is important to take a moment, sit down and plan your study schedule in order to manage your study time wisely. To make a study schedule, you can use your daily planner, a blank calendar or even your cell phone. When filling out the schedule, make sure to schedule realistic time slots for every class. After having filled out your schedule, the most important part is to stick to it! You will be more productive if you follow the schedule you have created. It will also allow you to be sure to spend enough time studying on each subject.
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Make sure to get enough sleep
During the finals period, it is easy to get carried away and to go to bed very late. Although sometimes it might seem like studying all night is the best option, trust me, it isn’t. In order to be productive and remain healthy, it’s very important for your brain and body to rest. By having a good night sleep (about 8 hours) you will feel refreshed, energized and ready to tackle your studying!
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Take some time to yourself
Finally, it can be easy to forget to take breaks during your finals, especially in a context of social distancing. Taking some time for yourself and doing something not school‑related is a great way for your mind to take a break and to recharge itself. Reading, watching a movie/tv show, taking a nap, talking with friends and family online and exercising are all great ways to take a small break from studying. Scheduling personal time is also a great way to motivate yourself to study in order to then be able to do a fun and relaxing activity!
I hope these tips will help you as much as they have helped me. Good luck with all your exams and stay safe and healthy!
It is March, when all of your midterm exams, assignments and projects are piling up before the term ends. Then comes the dreaded month of April, a stressful period of final exams. It is hard to stay balanced and focused on the end goal when all of these impeding deadlines are fast approaching and when summer is just around the corner.
The key to finishing the school year off strong is to take a minute to reflect on what your personal, academic, and professional goals are, and on what you want to achieve this term. Are you trying to land a dream job that could kick‑start a successful career? Do you want to further your education through a Master’s degree? Is there a specific scholarship on the line? Whatever is your goal, keep at it and never give up.
In this article, I am offering you some tips on how you can stay motivated over the next few weeks and complete this term on a high note!
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Prioritize
Everyone always says prioritizing is a crucial step in completing and meeting all deadlines; it is most definitely true! Although we all have our own unique way to keep track of everything, I find that writing down all the daily tasks I have to complete is the most efficient way to visually see what needs to be done. Crossing off tasks (even the smallest ones) is satisfying, and it motivates you to continue being productive. In addition, try to allot an estimated time for each task (block it either in your electronic calendar or on your list).
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Adjust
Although it is important to acknowledge what learning and studying strategies work best for you, sometimes it can be beneficial to adjust to new environments. Through university, I have gathered a variety of studying techniques that are useful for various courses. For example, when the content is math-heavy, I use a dry-erase board and continually repeat practice problems from my lectures and textbook. For other courses that require more memorization, I find that reading my notes aloud and retyping them are the most useful methods. Changing up your studying environment is also important to being productive. Switching location when studying allows your mind to take a break and to adjust to the new environment, providing you with a new sense of energy. It is equally important to determine the time of the day when you feel most productive and to take advantage of that time to finish as much as you can. For example, I have noticed that in the morning, I tend to be more alert and can complete tasks more efficiently. When the weather is nicer, I enjoy going out for a short walk to clear my mind off, after which I feel rejuvenated and ready to continue studying.
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Focus
When I feel overly stressed out and that there are too many deadlines to meet in the short amount of time left, I take a couple minutes to breathe deeply in order to relax and refocus my mind. It is important to recognize the finish line and the steps leading to it. Take a few minutes to focus on your goals for this term, and think about how you will feel once you have completed everything.
With only a few more weeks left this term, you can do it! Keep going and finish this school year strong!
It’s that time of the year again… That’s right – Exam season! Exams are creeping in and you’re trying to cram every bit of studying you can get done in a limited amount of time. Studying for exams can be stressful and overwhelming and it’s not always fun for everyone. However, having great study habits and being prepared will help you get through your exams. Thus, here are my top five exam tips on how you can study and prepare for exams.
1. Organize Your Time
Don’t leave your studying until the last minute. Exams can get overwhelming but, being organized and having a plan on how you want to break your study days will help ease your nerves and will not stress you out so much. To help sort out your time management, create a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you write them. Then plan your study accordingly. You may find that you want to spend more time studying for some classes so, find a balance that you’re comfortable with and that works for you.
2. Take Regular Breaks
While you may think it’s best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. Don’t study for longer than 50 minutes without taking a break. It is better to study for short intense periods with constant concentration than long periods of time when you are tired and not working effectively. Thus, try studying for 45-50 minutes and then take a 10-minute break and repeat. During your break, try not to go on your phone or on social media as it can be a big distraction and you may end up spending more time on it than expected. Instead, use that time to take a walk, go outside or grab something to eat. Either way, make sure you physically get up and walk away from your study spot. Taking regular breaks really help for long-term retention of knowledge.
3. Colour Code Your Notes
Having great study notes is an important key when studying for exams. One way to have effective study notes is by colour coding them. You can use different coloured pens, highlighters, paper, etc. Having colourful notes can help you stay engaged and you won’t be bored studying the material. Therefore, create a system that allows you to colour code material that’s going to be on the exam by what’s important, less important, etc. This will help you focus on the most relevant information and prioritize the material.
4. Eat Healthy, Stay Active, and Sleep
Make sure that in the midst of all the craziness and studying, you find time to eat healthy and exercise. Exercising and eating healthily boost energy levels, clear your mind and allow you to focus more easily. It’s important that you don’t forget to take care of yourself. Likewise, SLEEP IS IMPORTANT. Some people think sacrificing sleep and pulling all-nighters will help them retain more information. However, this is not the case and it is a very bad idea. Getting a good night’s rest the night before your exam will help you remember information that you have studied and will keep you alert during your exam. Therefore, make sure you get enough sleep and are well rested so that you can be fully focused during your exams.
5. Minimize Distractions
Devote your entire focus to the task at hand. Cell phones and social media are big distractions. They can easily shift your focus away from studying. You can tell yourself that you will only be on your phone for five minutes but most of the time, you know you will end up being on your phone for an hour. To stay focused and productive while studying, you should put your phone away, out of sight and on silent. Delete social media apps for the time being (you can re-download it once exams are done). Additionally, find a quiet place to work and if you must listen to music, stick to instrumental music. Concentrate on one task and immerse yourself in it.
Lastly, I hope these tips can help you prepare for your exams. You’re at the last stretch of this semester so make sure you continue to work hard to finish the semester off strong. Try not to let the stress get to you. Believe in yourself, study hard, drink water and rest well! I wish you all the best of luck on your exams!