Some of you will soon face final exams. How do you concentrate when not everyone around you is as serious as you are about doing well on exams? It’s hard to motivate with the sunshine out, and especially if anyone around you seems to be playing or having fun while you’re “stuck” studying. Remember, it’s only a couple of weeks. (Well, if you happen to be studying for the bar exam right after finals, it’s a little bit longer stretch. But, even the two months will fly. Read Pass the Bar Exam for all the tips you need!)
Most important, try to see the “study glass” as half full. You are not “stuck” studying; you get to study. It’s an incredible gift to be able to sit quietly in a safe place and learn. It sounds corny, but it’s really true. You are on the path to help yourself to do well and to do good.
Here are some practical tips to help your focus during finals:
1. Pick a study spot. Maybe it’s the library, maybe it’s s a coffee shop, maybe it’s your home. Wherever it is, make sure it’s a place you can concentrate where people will not bug you.
Try studying in a different spot once or twice to see if you are more productive in a different setting. (For example, some people study in the library but spend more time socializing with friends than studying. It may be that an office, a home, a public library, or even library in another school at your university may be where you need to hide during finals.)
2. Let your friends and family know you are in finals mode, and tell them when to expect you will be free. Say “No” to all plans, social invitations, and even to family obligations unless absolutely necessary during the couple of weeks before exams.
If you are a working student with a job outside of school, see if there is any way to take some time off before exams.
If you have young children or aging parents, plan well ahead of time, think about whether it is possible to arrange for someone reliable to provide the care you usually give, at least to free up some time for you to study.
Saying “No” ahead of time to social invitations frees you up to decide if you feel like you have time to socialize. If you have put in a good day or evening and want to drop by that party you were invited to, go ahead. But only after your work is completed.
If after studying you just want to go to sleep, let yourself. Brain work takes much more energy than most of us realize. A good friend of mine who was appointed to the bench told me she had never been more tired than in her first months on that job. There was nothing physically demanding, but she was certain that she was using more brain power than she ever had before.
3. Plan something special to look forward to after finals –either by yourself or, if you have family or a special someone who will miss you during this intense study time, plan something fun for them to look forward to doing with you after finals are done.
4. Take a social media break, and, don’t answer texts or phone calls while you are studying. Pick a set time (a short break time) in the evenings after studying is over for the day to read messages.
Again, good luck on finals! And best wishes for a great summer after exams.
Sara J. Berman 