So if anyone has actually been keeping up with this blog, you’ve probably come to the conclusion that I wasn’t completely honest when I said that I would be “keeping this updated every week”. So again, you get to hear me apologize once more.
Now, segueing super smoothly (not) to my post because I’m procrastinating my Webworks…
Welcome to exam season! Where tears and stress are around every corner and procrastination is the enemy.
Fun fact: Everyone probably feels the same way that you do. Don’t fret. Most people don’t want to admit that they’re dying of stress overload.. Or if they’re like myself, they complain way too much about it.
Have no fear, friends. Well have some fear, and then conquer that fear and laugh in its face when you are victorious.
Anyways… how does one handle exams?
As a first year, I obviously don’t have any experience with uni finals (yet), but we’re just gonna roll with it, because exams are exams are exams, and why not take every piece of advice you can?
So (I say so way too much, so I’m really SO SOrry about that. Please excuse the terrible puns)
5 Studying/Life Tips
1. Remember to eat (and drink).
I don’t know about you, but when you get in the zone with studying, sometimes you just forget to eat all day.
MAKE YOURSELF EAT. Cuz eventually the hunger will hit you and you’ll get hangry and that’s no fun. Keep a balanced diet, all that good stuff. Remember that you want to be in tip top shape for your exam, so remember to eat lots of fruits and veggies. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. Or tea. Whatever floats your boat.
2. Two words: Pomodoro Method
Basically, this is a study method with a timer. I usually go for 25 minutes of hardcore studying with no distractions and then a 5 minute break where I can check my social media or have a mini nap. It keeps you focused (and as an easily distracted person, I can definitely attest to the helpfulness of working on a timer) and apparently it helps you digest information better.
3. Remember to get out!
It’s really easy to lock yourself in your room and get depressed when you’re studying. So easy. We’ve all been there, and it just isn’t fun. You feel sorry for/bad about yourself for not being able to do something correctly and you just wanna lie on the ground and have an existential crisis. (I’m all too familiar with this feeling).
I know it definitely feels like going on a 15 minute walk is a waste of time, but I assure you that it is absolutely worth it. It’s always good to take a real break and regain perspective. While school is probably one of the most important things in your life right now, there’s still an entire world out there, and everything else is still going on while you’re in your own study world. Don’t forget that.
Yes, sometimes it is helpful to sit in your room and focus, but remember that life is all about balance.
4. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Every person is different, and if it takes a longer time for you to master a concept, that doesn’t mean that you don’t know what you’re doing or that you’re not smart. Take your time. Trust your abilities. Give yourself a break.
You got into UBC for a reason, and don’t believe that doing poorly on one thing means that you don’t have what it takes. Confidence is key. And if you aren’t confident, fake it til you make it. It works. For reals.
5. Take one thing at a time.
This is really the only way to handle things.
Especially if you’re in engineering like myself, your to do list is probably endless.. because here’s mine:
That’s probably an incomplete to do list, but it’s a work in progress. Life is a work in progress. (Am I profound yet?)
Make yourself a to do list. And work through one thing at a time. Prioritize. What assignments are worth the most? When are they due? What courses do you need to put the most time into? What courses are you having the most difficulty with?
I know that it feels nearly impossible to do, but it’s honestly doable. There were points throughout the past few months where I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it. But here I am!
One step at a time and you’ll make it.
(Sorry, I say one step at a time way too much, and usually it leads to me breaking into mid 2000s Jordin Sparks. Forgive me, please)
Have faith that you know what you’re doing!
Remember to sleep. I forget to get sleep a lot of the time, and it really gets to me in the morning.
I’ll be posting more tips as they come to me 🙂 And expect a TON of posts throughout winter break because by then I’ll have the experience of first term under my belt. Godspeed my friends.