As finals week approaches, students everywhere search for ways to stay motivated while also managing stress. While no single method works for every zone, students agree that success comes down to balance, preparation and finding what works best for you.
For Sydney Kjar, structure is key. “I block out specific times for each subject and take breaks in between. I keep a schedule in Google Calendar, and it helps me stay on track, although I don’t always follow it religiously because assignments change from week to week.”
Her advice is straightforward: “Make a study schedule and stick to it,” with sleep being just as vital. “I try to get at least 6–8 hours of sleep each night, and I prioritize time with family and friends. It keeps me sane.”
She emphasized the importance of an equally balanced mindset, “Use the study method that works best for you. Give yourself grace. Don’t cram study, but if you have to review what you know and do your best with the rest. “
Madison Whitver, outreach coordinator for the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Weber State University, pointed to specific strategies that consistently help students succeed.
The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most effective, she said. It’s a strategy used to help students avoid burnout. Students may set a timer for 30 minutes where they study, then take a five-minute break. The student may then return to study for 30 minutes if they haven’t met their goal.
“Burnout happens … so we have to break up that pattern,” Whitver said. “Do your dishes differently, load like the top differently, load the bottom differently, take a different walk to campus that day, on campus, study a different thing first; study standing up versus sitting, those things that can have the motivation.”
For Lily Winsett, a music student, her experience with finals may look different from the average student, but the stress of preparation is still evident. Countless hours of preparation would also include being mindful of her mental and physical health. Study environments can also make a difference.
Winsett also said music has been a calming remedy and also a way to keep her focused, “Beethoven music … without lyrics so I could actually read what I was studying.”
No matter the method of choice, there are always countless resources to keep students focused and their stress levels down. One way is to get more involved on campus.
“There’s always events going on to help … promote mental health, mental wellbeing, overall wellbeing,” Whitver said. “Doing those throughout the semester, get ahead of it so you’re not cramming right before the end.”
