But finals week does not have to be a time filled with copious amounts of caffeine and pulling all-nighters. There are many different ways to study for finals without sacrificing your sanity. Take control of your schedule and end your semester on a positive note.  

Here are some tips to help you not just survive, but thrive during finals week:  

Study tips for finals week 

It is important to figure out how you learn best. Are flashcards the most effective way for you to memorize material or demonstrate what you’ve learned?  Do you find that you're successful on test day after verbalizing the content and teaching it to someone else? Or are you an audio learner who prefers to listen to the materials repeatedly? Finding the most effective way for you to comprehend information will make the process of studying for finals a lot less frustrating. 

Bouncing your ideas off other people and hearing their perspective on the class material can be beneficial when studying for a test. Participate in solo and group sessions to get the most out of your class. Your peers might show you a new way to digest the material or point out things you may have missed when studying for a final exam.  

If you need more support, don’t be afraid to use your resources. Your professors want you to succeed. Check the class syllabus for your professor's office hours and reach out. Southeast Missouri State University also has learning assistance programs for students to seek extra help, such as the Center for Writing Excellence, the Academic Support Lab and the Mathematics Learning Center. Know how to ask for help and come prepared with questions.  

Study for open-book tests. Even though you have access to the answers, an open-book test does not mean it will be easy. You will quickly run out of time if you are constantly flipping through pages to look for information. Bookmark each section and review key topics. An entire textbook will be difficult to sift through if you are not familiar with the content because you didn’t study for your final exam.  

Stay organized and on task 

Don’t procrastinate. Having yesterday's assignments hanging over you will only cause fatigue. Figure out what motivates you to get work done. Is it the promise of a sweet treat at the end of a study session? Do you get satisfaction from checking something off your to-do list? Could you make time to hang out with friends if you finish your assignments? Put away your phone and lock in.  

If you are having trouble staying focused during finals week, try different tactics like studying in a new environment. Kent Library and The Beanery are popular study spots for students during finals week at SEMO. Put on a study playlist if you are having trouble blocking out your surroundings. If you don’t have a collection of songs already prepared, SEMO’s Spotify account has a great study playlist.  

Create a schedule with your exam times and assignment deadlines so you don’t fail because you missed the test or didn’t submit something on Canvas. Plan out when you will study for your tests and complete assignments in advance, so you don’t fall behind. You want to avoid cramming everything into one night if you can.  

Take care of yourself during finals week 

Yes, your grades are important, but so are you. Surviving off energy drinks, a few hours of sleep and sitting inside alone for days is not beneficial for your test taking abilities. You need sleep, food with vitamins, water and social interaction.  

Plan to take breaks with an activity instead of doomscrolling. Give your brain a moment away from the screens and flashcards by hanging out with friends or dedicating time to one of your hobbies. Head to the rec center and relax in the pool or fuel up at SEMO’s semi-annual late-night breakfast.  

Finals are tough, but so are you. The hard work you’ve put in all semester is about to pay off. Keep in mind these study tips for college students and remember to stay positive. Celebrate that you get the opportunity to learn. You’ve got this.  

Good luck, Redhawks! 

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