My first finals take place one week from this Friday. I can’t believe it’s already that time of year – holy cow time flies! Unfortunately, sheer disbelief doesn’t prevent finals week from arriving. The easiest way for me to ease into the realization that finals prep is inevitable is making sure I have all of the necessary tools and supplies. After you read my list of essential supplies let me know down in the comments what you can’t survive finals without!
> Index cards Don’t let anyone ever tell you that making flashcards is childish! I’ve found studying with flashcards to be one of the most effective means to learn mass amounts of vocabulary and concepts for all types of subjects (I’m looking at you, psychology).
> To-do List It feels like every scrap of paper that comes through my fingers contains some kind of list. While I’m studying, I like to keep a list of everything that I need to study and also blank paper for the thoughts that pop up in my head while I’m studying. Doing so, lets me keep my mind (relatively) clear of distractions.
> Different Colored Pens After I’ve made my study guide/printed classroom notes, I use different colored pens to add additional notes and tidbits I remember from class in the margins. For me, the different colored ink creates a distinction between the black typeface of my notes and the new information, which makes me more likely to read everything on the page.
> Water Being thirsty while attempting to study for anything is a recipe for procrastination. Drinking water while studying will keep you hydrated and focused (and also provide necessary study breaks aka trips to the bathroom). It can be easy to resort to sugary coffee drinks and energy drinks while studying – they’re “supposed” to keep you awake and focused. Turns out, all of the sugar and calories can make you feel lethargic, unmotivated and down-right sleepy. Stick to mostly water and you’ll be golden!
More Finals Prep 101 posts:
What are your essential study supplies?
My Little Box of Tricks 
I remember getting through my finals in college. great tips!
Thanks for stopping by!
I made flash cards all throughout college and those were life savers.
xoxo, Jenny
Right? I don’t understand how some people manage finals studying without them!
I am a huge advocate for color coding and using different colored pens. I agree with Jenny! Flashcards are amazing.
Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.
I know right? Different colored pens were a game-changer for me!
YES to the to-do list! I had the most INSANE finals week ever during last year’s fall semester. Making a large to-do list helped me so much, and every time I crossed one thing off I felt just a little more accomplished.
Best of luck to you with exams!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
That’s how my finals are looking for this semester – my to do list is insane haha! Good luck on your exams!
I definitely agree with all of your points! Multi-colored pens kept me sane and there have been way too many times when I drank way too much coffee and immediately regretted it!
Jadoregrace
I’ve definitely had my fair share of too-much coffee in one sitting and also learned the hard way that is not the way to do it!
Index cards and colored highlighters are my life savers for sure!
http://www.kayleighskloset.com
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by!
Color coding and flash cards were always my favorite study tricks in college.
They’ve definitely become staples in my life, even outside of class!
These are great tips!! Index cards were a LIFESAVER for me in college!
xo Ashley
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I found colored pens always helped keep me organized, great tips!
Thank you! I’ve begun using different colored pens in my planner too – game changer!
My thoughts completely! Index cards are great – you remember it more because you have to write it out too.
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
I totally agree! Repetition always helps!
I love these tips! Index cards are wonderful!
Lauren | The Arizona Prepster
Thank you and thank you for stopping by!
Index cards are my best friends during finals. Great list!!
http://thealwaysblog.com
Thank you! Good luck on your finals!
Oh geez, I don’t miss being in college. Good luck! :)
xo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
http://www.thediaryofadebutante.com
Haha thank you! Happy holidays!
Index cards and colored pens were definitely on my list when I was studying for finals!
Thank the lord I’m not in college anymore ;) But index cards are really the most helpful tool
Nicole // Chronicling Home
Hahaha! I have begun using index cards for lists when I somehow can’t find my pad of Post Its!
Oh! Finals are so annoying lol! thankfully for me this year my finals are all essays!! I always make sure I have tons of snacks and water
Snacks are also so important! Good luck on your finals!
YES to water and snacks. I’m on this! Love. Currently studying :(
xo
Lauren
I make flashcard for everything! I don’t think I will stop as long as I’m in school! And I always study with water because I tend to get so thirsty!
A rolling stone is worth two in the bush, thanks to this artceli.
I always use flashcards! They’re literally my saving grace for almost every class!
with southern grace,
Lindsey
http://www.withsoutherngrace.blogspot.com