Thursday Thoughts

 are you ready?!?! it is…..

FINALS WEEK!!!!

Ever notice how the word "dying" is conveniently placed at the end of studying?? Don't let this get to you! Those of you still on college, prepare for one of the hardest two weeks out of the semester, the oh so dreaded finals week.  This time can be extremely tough and hard on your body and brain, so here are a few pointers that will definitely help you as you go through with it!

Study in chunks.

Try resisting the "easiest" method, cramming.   Try to study in 25-50 minute increments and then take  an hour or two break, or even a day break.  Spread this method out throughout the week, even just 3-5 times a week and I promise it will stick and be more understandable. Cramming really isn' worth it at the end.  The main point of college isn't really about getting the best grades but actually learning!

Create a playlist.

Did you know that certain types of music can activate both right and left sides of the brain which stimulates increased recall??  For example, soft music like Mozart follows a 60 bpm pattern which helps stimulates and is soft enough to still study.  Think of coffee shop/acoustic music.

Alternate your study spots.

Sounds weird and random right?  I do it all the time.  New York Times explained rather to sticking to one spot, to switch it up.  I see it as one spot may get to boring or my mind will remember the amount of time i spent studying there and shuts off.  I alternate between coffeeshops, library, and the student center.  Im personally not a fan on studying at home because I can get distracted but when I'm out in public I have to do my work because it's not like I can just sit there and be on Facebook or stare out.. it'll make me look so weird! haha

Drink Tea or Cocoa. NOT Energy drinks.

My mom told me a long time ago the effects of energy drinks and how bad it really is for you and how it could work up your heart too much to the point where it can get deathly.  Try some hot tea or cocoa as healthy and better alternatives!  They are packed with antioxidants as well as cognitive and mood enhancers.

POSITIVE THINKING! =)

Don't be a negative Nancy! Do you get anxiety or blank once a test is in front of you?? Spend a few minutes before relaxing and thinking positively.  Go in there, even if you don't know the material, that you WILL ACE IT.  EVERYONE should try  this method out!! You will see a difference.

Learn to manage your time.

Time really is precious.  There are so many moments when I wished if I had only 30 more minutes, it really would have made the difference from a B to an A.  Plan a schedule.  Don't let that 30 minutes you spent at the mall or being lazy on the couch get to you!

Office Hours!

USE YOUR RESOURCES!! As much as all of us students think our teachers are out to get us, they truly aren't! Well unless you taking a parking space they wanted :/ Trying studying with the teacher.  They are the ones who made  the final anyways.  They are in their office for a reason.

Start with what you know.

Don't get intimidated by all the information!  Start with what you know or kinda know and skip the harder things.  That way you can build confidence in yourself as you study.  It also will help with the difficult concepts once you see some familiar items. 

Make it FUN.

Fun and studying? Oxymoron huh? Not at all!  Make your information that you are trying to remember and understand into fun, corny songs or dances.  This trick SERIOUSLY helps.  The goofier the tricks, the more likely you will remember it.  Don't believe me? Remember "My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies?" that we learned in preschool to learn the planets?  Oh yessss.

Colors.

Statistics show that highlighting or using different colors for different sections or words really do help in memorizing.  Try it out for yourself!

Finish everything before finals week!

Lastly, try to finish all your other "busy" work or term papers before finals week instead of waiting till the last second and then having to do a 15 page paper while having to study on top of that.  Finishing all your other work will not only take off a weight off your shoulder, but also leave so much more free time to just sit down and study.

Relax.  Study.  But most importantly, Remember to learn something.  Being smart is one of the sexiest qualities to have!

ps, don't forget to =)