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Small Changes = Big Differences
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It’s that season again. Trees bud, flowers bloom...and college students pull all-nighters and drink way too much caffeine.
Your son or daughter may have moved back home because of coronavirus, but they still have to take final exams.
Fortunately, with planning and mindfulness, they can avoid last-minute panic. If they follow these seven steps, they'll finish the school year in great shape. Share these tips with your student today!
Don’t wait until the week before finals to figure out what you need to do. Just 30 minutes of planning can save hours of wasted time.
Organize your notes for each class and write down all deadlines and exam dates so you can see exactly what you have to do and when. Is the instructor offering remote group study sessions? Make a note of these as well.
Prioritize tasks based on what needs immediate attention. Evaluate every assignment on the list to determine what is “MUST DO NOW!” versus “I have two weeks to complete this.”
Consider what classes you’re doing well in and where you need to spend more time. Don’t assume that because you understand the material you've covered in a class that you can stop studying altogether. Remember, if your school has made Pass/Fail an option because of COVID-19, it's still preferable to choose to receive a grade if you can be sure it will be a good one.
Now make a schedule of what you’d like to get done each day and set a realistic time frame for each activity. A color-coded Excel spreadsheet isn’t required — a simple list will do — but if you need the tech support, of course there’s an app (or 20) for this.
While you're at it, take a few minutes to back up your computer. This is a bad time to lose any work-in-progress.
Just as you've had to adjust to attending class and submitting coursework online in the correct way in order to receive credit, be sure you follow the procedure for taking the exam. Don't wait until right before the exam to figure this out.
If there’s an assignment you don’t understand or a concept that’s giving you trouble, don’t waste time trying to figure it out on your own. Email your instructor, the TA or your classmates for help.
DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED to get help at the eleventh hour. Don’t discount your university’s academic resource center, either. Tutoring and counseling are still available remotely. Check the website for updates on the services being offered, and then email or call to get connected with the support you need.
Don’t skimp on sleep, make sure to eat well, drink plenty of water, and find a way to relax. Relaxing may seem impossible when you're only three pages into a 15-page paper, but figure out what calms you and do it.
And don't feel guilty! There's proof that short breaks help you focus better when you return to a long task like studying for an exam; you'll be more productive and more able to retain information.
Plus they feel good. Outdoor exercise is a mood lifter (don't forget your face mask if that's recommended or required). Try meditating (there’s an app for that, too). Walk the dog, call a friend, write in a journal, listen to (or play) music.
Short is the operative word. Fifteen to 20 minutes is about right, and it's best to leave your workspace (and screens) behind. A 10–20 minute cat nap can also be a good idea.
Try not to worry about what comes after this semester, or what's going on in the world at large. Take a break from the news or at least limit your exposure. You can stay up to date without letting yourself get thoroughly distracted.
It will feel great to give your current coursework your best energy, and this will also foster a positive outlook when it's time to turn your attention to plans for summer and fall.
Adapted from an earlier article by Connie Lissner.
