E. Connor

Finals season is an inevitably stressful time for college students, especially for those involved with clubs, jobs, and family responsibilities. For students taking six or seven classes, finals can feel overwhelming and impossible that it becomes hard to work on anything. That being said, here are some tips and resources right here on campus to help you ace your finals.

An article written by The Daily Collegian details common negative responses to stress, and how students can develop healthy habits to work around these tendencies. It also details a study performed by Jennifer Graham-Engeland, associate professor of Biobehavioral Health and Director of the Stress & Health Lab at University Park; this study showed that students who are more autonomous are more likely to perform better on exams and be happier in general.

1. Find a Quiet Space to Study
   • Penn State Abington has a number of beautiful areas to study and work in peace, both inside and outside. You could utilize the Quiet Space in the Sutherland Building or reserve the library’s specially tailored study rooms. There are also several calm spaces outdoors, such as the gazebo, the duck pond, and the Woodland steps.
2. Make Clear, Itemized To-Do Lists
   • Your workload will become much more manageable if you line it up in simple, easy-to-do items or steps. Having a tangible reminder of your tasks, as well as being able to cross them off and view your progress, will help you keep track of what you’ve completed and what you have left to do.
   • Your phone’s Calendar app, alarms, or an agenda book can also help you keep track of your assignments.
3. Form Study Groups with Classmates or Friends
   • Sometimes, all you need is another pair of eyes to clear up whatever you’re confused about. Study groups can help you talk through your thought processes, as well as figure out problems you may not have been able to by yourself.
4. Utilize School Resources!
   • Penn State Abington has loads of resources available to help you succeed! First, the Center for Student Achievement (CSA) is always available for free tutoring, writing consultations, and success coaching. You can reach them in Sutherland 315 or book an appointment on Starfish. They also provide online tutoring with Brainfuse, and Online Writing Labs (OWL).
5. Lastly, Make Sure to Give Yourself Breaks
   • Balancing a busy schedule with hefty final exams is always a struggle, and it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Remember to give yourself time for yourself and relax occasionally. Make time for your hobbies, and don’t work during meals.

Remember to eat, sleep, and take breaks. You’ve survived exams before, and you’ll do it again. You’ve got this!