The ultimate study session

Finals are almost here, which means only one thing: panic! 

Don’t worry, I’m just kidding ... kind of. As we all know, along with finals come those long study sessions. It could be writing that excruciatingly long paper, cramming to memorize the list of vocabulary words for the final test or summoning all your creative juices for a project. As we enter study session season, I have put together a few tips on crafting the ultimate study session for maximum productivity and success! 

Grab a study buddy

Misery loves company. 

Location is everything 

Choose a spot where you can focus the best. If you like complete silence, try booking a study room at the library. Enjoy a bit of background noise? Student Success or The Mill are great options. Want a place that feels cozy and safe? Your room may be the perfect spot!

Assemble the team

Make sure that you have everything you need to get started — laptop, textbooks, highlighters, notes, pens, etc. You don’t want to waste time searching for the things you need. This will just distract you and make it harder to get started. 

Crank the tunes

Play some background music that will get you in the zone. Music platforms often have a wide variety of study playlists to choose from. Finding the perfect soundtrack for your study session can help minimize distractions and make the process a little more enjoyable! 

Keep a snack handy

If you are starting to feel a little foggy and distracted, you might need a snack! Keep some of your favorite goodies nearby to refuel your brain and help keep you focused on the task at hand. 

Take a break

Have you been working on that final paper for hours? Then it’s time to get up and get your creative juices flowing again! Stand up, stretch out, put on your favorite song and dance away the stress. Take a walk around campus. Take a 10-minute social media break. Do whatever you need to clear the fuzz and reset before going back to work. 

Keep the end goal in mind

This is the time when the going seems to get tougher and tougher. It feels as if you are trying to pull the last strands of motivation and determination you have left together to make it into something resembling a passing grade. However, keep the end goal in mind. You have made it this far. Now is not the time to give up. You can do it! 

By Hannah Olin