"Dead week? What's that?"
Supposedly, it used to be called Dead Week because, back in the day, professors usually did not assign as much homework to their students during the regular school year, so that they could study for their exams. However, it seems like professors have forgotten this idea and instead assign papers, presentations, and projects due for the two weeks RIGHT BEFORE EXAMS. You start to think, "how do I have time to study for my exams if I have so many projects due?!" For me, I have four presentations, two papers, and two projects due, and then exams. Some of you might have more, and some of you might have less. Despite all this, I'll give you a few tips on how to push through these next few weeks and still be prepared for your exams.
What to do:
Sleep
Firstly of all first things, go to bed on time! As college students, it might be socially acceptable to stay up until 3am, but does much get done at that hour? Not really. Instead, try to go to bed between 12-12:30am and wake up earlier. I don't know about you, but for me, I usually lose mass amounts of motivation around 12:30 at night. So I try to go to bed at the latest, 1am and get up to study at 7am. To have maximum energy and motivation, go to bed on time and get up earlier.
I'm not sure if the concept of reading with a book on your face helps you "absorb" information, but whatever works, I guess!
Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gets your metabolism goin' and nourishes your body which gives you energy for the morning. Even if you don't normally eat breakfast, just grab some eggs or cereal or some fruit to fuel yourself for those lovely 8am's we all enjoy!
Use Your Planner
Yes! If you have not used your planner at all this year, pull it out now! Write down when those assignments are due and when you write your exams. By doing this, it will hopefully allow you to manage your time better and prioritize what you need to complete first. In addition, by planning out your assignments it is less likely that you’ll stay up late as well.
Minimize Distractions
When studying and working on all of your assignments, it is best to get rid of anything that might distract yourself. If you study in your room, leave the TV off (if you have one) and put on some quiet study music. Clean your room, perhaps! If you find yourself studying in the library, find a cubby and put some earbuds in. You become more prone to distractions by studying in the open.
Drink Coffee (if you like it)
If you’re struggling to stay focused and awake while doing hours upon hours of studying, then try drinking coffee. If you have a hard time drinking it, just add, like, 3 spoons of sugar and a lot of cream. Don’t worry if others judge you for the copious amounts of cream in sugar that you might put in your coffee because most of those people are in the same boat as you are: drained, tired, unmotivated, and just don't care about others. If you don’t have a coffee maker in your room, no worries! The library has FREE coffee. FREE. COFFEE. However, drink it at your own discretion. While coffee is the energizer and life giver for many, the best thing to drink is water.
What NOT to do
While I may have a few suggestions on what TO do, I also have a few suggestions on what NOT to do while drowning in homework:
Sleep in and miss class
Sleep during class
Stay up til 4am every night
Drink so much coffee that you can't sleep
Spend excessive amounts of time with friends
Watch Netflix all day
Procrastinate
Hopefully these idea may help you survive these next few weeks while trying to manage stress before finals. Just know that you aren't the only one with homework up to your neck. Don't try to "out-busy" one another by bragging about who has more to do, but instead, encourage one another in this season of stress, anxiety, and busyness.
Peace,
Ian