It’s that time again—and I’m not talking about the holidays. Finals are looming right around the corner and, personally, I’m freaking out a little bit. But that’s okay! Because no matter what this semester’s finals bring, everything will work out fine. With finals in mind, it’s important to set yourself up for success. Here are a few strategies that I find helpful when exams have me at the end of my rope.

Study (Obviously)

Okay, I know this one is a given, but it’s so important! Make time to study. You will feel so much better if you know the material off the top of your head. Do your best not to cram and take small breaks every hour or so. By studying regularly, you will set yourself up for success. It’s also important to know how to study. Find what works for you. Some people can read straight from the textbook, while others have to replay the same set of Quizlet flashcards. Some are in between. Find what works for you and run with it.

Free Tutoring

The Walker Library has many, many resources. One of their most notable free tutoring. They offer both in-person and remote tutoring this semester with tutoring in 24 different departments. For example, in the Accounting department, they offer eight different accounting classes for tutoring. I can’t recommend this enough. Not only is it FREE, but it can do nothing but help you. I beg of you to check out the free tutoring in the library if you’re struggling. Click here for more information on the Tutoring Spot.

Jaidyn Bigelow studying at Peck Hall. (Photo: J. Intintoli)

Getting in the right space

Studying can be hard when there are too many distractions. To continue my raving about the library, they have great study areas. The Walker Library on campus is a great place to get focused and do what needs to be done. If you get too distracted by the noises around you, I recommend utilizing one of the private study rooms. But make sure you book one in advance because they fill up fast! If you can’t get into the library, try finding a quiet place in your house outside of your bedroom. If you try to study where you normally sleep, you’ll find yourself dozing off. Other places you can go are nearby parks and cafes. It’s all about finding a space that promotes your productivity and helps you to focus on the task at hand.

Stay encouraged

Finals can be a dark time. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Good grades are important, and when you worry about not making one, it can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Just remember to breathe and keep pushing—because it’s almost over. You can do this. Never doubt your ability to persevere.

Know that no matter what happens, everything will be okay

I’m not going to give you my usual rant about how “I failed a class, and it was TERRIBLE!” because I feel like I’ve mentioned that multiple times in these articles. But it was terrible. You know what, though? Everything turned out okay. Try your hardest, and if you still don’t make the grade you want, then have the confidence that you will bounce back. School is very important, but it’s not everything. The world is not going to end if you fail a class. You will be okay.

I hope this article encouraged you to stay on track. Finals time is a very intense part of college life. It takes a lot of discipline and perseverance to finish strong. But millions of students do it every semester, and you can too. Stay encouraged, because you’ve got this. And if not, everything will be okay. Good luck, Raiders.

Author Nicole Alexander is currently an undergraduate student in the Recording Industry Program in the College of Media and Entertainment.