Exam Anxiety

Graphics by Anika Dua

The air is getting colder and students have less and less motivation to go to classes, which can only mean one thing: finals week is coming. We’re all just as terrified as you are. 

We know exams can cause some pretty intense anxiety, and finals week always seems to include sleepless nights, tears on notebook paper, and lots and lots of coffee. Stay ahead of the curve and start getting prepped early!

The first thing to do when getting ready for a big study sesh is to find the perfect study spot. A popular choice is Bird Library, you can choose how quiet you want your surroundings to be, and let’s be honest, you’re not getting distracted by the beautiful architecture or interior design when you’re in Bird. Carnegie Library is another great study spot; great lighting and atmosphere, dead silence, and a warm and cozy vibe that kinda makes you feel like you’re at Hogwarts. And of course another great study spot is in your bed. This is a dangerous place to study for sure, but nothing is more comforting than your own bed. 

The next tip for exams is to find a study method that works for you! It’s been proven that rewriting notes helps with memorization, so pull out your notebook and get copying. Or use the tried and true method of making a Quizlet. Whatever helps you remember is what you should be doing. 

Another important tip for getting in the mental zone while studying is having the right music on. Many students go to classical music as it helps with information retention, but sometimes that's not the vibe you need. If you need Taylor Swift to learn about Organic Chemistry, listen to Taylor Swift. Or you could always ditch the music all together and put on your noise-canceling headphones to focus in complete silence. Nobody's judging. 

Our last tip to all of you genius students, is to slow down and let yourself relax. Finals may seem like the end all be all when you’re taking them, but no test is worth sacrificing your mental health for. Plan ahead and prevent the anxiety cram session the night before your tests. We promise you’ll be grateful.