Campus energy shifts as the semester winds down, celebrations approach, and friends start thinking about what comes next—but what about (cue dramatic music)… finals? While perhaps not everyone’s favorite school tradition, any student can get through it with confidence using a few key strategies. These tips will help you to study smarter, boost your focus, master the material, and keep your mind and body healthy.

1. Make a Schedule & Prioritize: Plan out your study time leading up to exams so you’re not cramming last minute. Use a calendar or planner to block out specific subjects each day. Focus on the subjects or topics that are hardest for you, or those that make up a larger percentage of your grade.

2. Break It Up: Study in chunks (25-50 minutes with 5-10 minute breaks). This helps keep your brain fresh and focused. Also, switch up your topics; don’t study one subject for hours straight. Rotating subjects helps with memory and keeps you more engaged.

3. Quiz Yourself with Practice Questions: Do old exams, practice problems or quizzes. Actively testing yourself is way more effective than just re-reading notes. You can also use flashcards, which are great for memorization-heavy subjects.

4. Teach It: Try explaining the material out loud like you’re teaching someone else. If you can’t explain it clearly, you probably don’t know it well enough yet.

StudyTips_540x356.jpg5. Eliminate Distractions: Find a quiet spot, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and consider using apps that are designed to help you stay on track.

6. Stay Organized: Keep your notes, formulas and study guides neat and uncluttered. Color-code or use headings to make information easy to review quickly.

7. Get Enough Sleep: Pulling an all-nighter hurts more than it helps. Sleep is essential for maintaining mental focus and maximizing recall, which you will need if you want to ace your finals. Aim for 7 to 9 hours before the big tests.

8. Stay Hydrated & Eat Well: Your brain runs better with good fuel. Drink water, eat protein and avoid vending-machine junk food when possible.

9. Move Around: Even a quick walk can reset your focus and reduce stress. Step out into the Triangle for a burst of fresh air. If you have a usual fitness routine, keep it up during this time.

Take a deep breath, Cougars. You’ve got this!