On Surviving Finals

Whilst fighting my way through the final months of my undergraduate degree, I have begun to note the things that have been making this somewhat bleak existence a little bit brighter. With little else to think or talk about than endless essays, I thought I would take a procrastinatory break from ChatGPT and list a few tips and tricks for anyone in the same boat as me. The following are what my friends and I have incorporated into our studying routines in a sometimes-successful attempt to stay sane:

 

1.     Look good, feel good

Try deciding on an outfit the night before. Not only does this save time in the morning so you can rush to secure your library seat, but it also limits the possibility of those dreaded tracksuit/dirty t-shirt/athleisure/flip-flops/whatever-it-may-be random outfits that can sometimes emerge from a frantic morning. And even if all you’re going to do is sit in the library for 12 hours, I promise that looking good will make it that bit more bearable.

 

2.     Talk about your work, but not too much

Everyone has a lot of work. Everyone is stressed. But it is NOT a competition! Nor is any one person’s work more important, or more difficult, than another’s. Whilst it is important to talk to your friends and a problem shared is very much a problem aired, sometimes changing up the conversation and discussing other things is far more important. NB I appreciate at this point in the academic calendar there is not a lot else to talk about, but it is worth a try.

 

3.     Exercise

It may feel like you simply don’t have time to go to the gym or get outside, but, as we all know, fresh air and exercise only stand to benefit our studies and make us work more efficiently. Even if it means leaving the library one hour earlier, the likelihood is the work you were going to do in that hour probably wouldn’t be that great because you’ve been sat in the library all day.

 

4.     Online shopping and WhatsApp

Arguably, this one isn’t that helpful to your overall efficiency. However, if you really want to look like you’re getting some serious work done, I highly recommend online shopping and WhatsApping. Crucially, the WhatsApping must happen on your laptop, with said laptop positioned at an angle whereby no one can see your screen. All that’s left to do is get into an engaging conversation stream with a friend and any library-goers sat nearby will admire the intensity and speed of your typing.

 

5.     Fake tan

Which I use as a metaphor for general self-care. Whatever your skincare/makeup routine is, it is now more important than ever that you maintain, it if not enhance it. We have all experienced the exam-season wash-out: puffy eyed (from crying or lack of sleep, who knows) and pale skin are both recognisable symptoms for many of us. In fact, it may even be difficult to distinguish between a fresher and a final year student at this time of year. The most significant difference of course is the alcohol content in their bodies. So, back to fake tan, if you like it/can be arsed, lather on that Tan Luxe like there’s no tomorrow, it may just be what it takes to keep you stable (or at least looking like you are).

 

6.     Crying!

You don’t have to tell me twice! But seriously, a good cry can sometimes set you straight when it all gets a bit much. Yes, there are far worse things going on in the world than your 2,000-word deadline on Monday, but you are allowed to feel sorry for yourself every once in a while. At some point or another in the coming months we will all likely shed tears over our work, it is unifying and, more importantly, it will be funny to look back on when we have to deal with real, grown-up problems.

 

7.     Routine

Finally, the importance of a good routine. Ideally, one that incorporates a good sleep schedule, exercise, socialising (it is important that we don’t become hermits), etc. But even the most basic routines can improve our efficiency and keep us just that little bit grounded.

 

Nothing I have laid out above is particularly groundbreaking, and ultimately any final-year student is entering into what will likely be a trying period. The most important thing is that, in and around long library sessions, we inject just a tiny bit of joy into our days – whether that’s a quick pint with a friend on a Tuesday evening or a morning gym session to start your day right – whatever it takes to keep you sane and help you enjoy these last precious moments of our uni experience.