STUDY SPOTS
I mainly studied at my universities library. In their B.Y.O.D(device) area. Its an area where they have these massive monitors you can plug your laptop.
IN: dual monitors
OUT: eye fatigue
My next study spot was a cafe in my area. It had a very lowkey cozy vibe, with diner style cushy booths, that made studying comfortable. It was way better than my previous cafe study spot, a very hipster-esque spot ā I always had trouble finding a spot to sit, and the tables there were always wobbly. Uncool.
IN: lowkey diveāy cafes
OUT: places that do nitro cold brew
STUDY TOOLS
My usual study technique is re-writing all my notes in notion, until they are beautifully colour-coded and perfect. I refuse to use google docs or word for my notes, it makes them so un-interesting.
Asides from my notion antics, I did something I donāt usually do ā I wrote things out by hand. I bought a couple great pens, and a legal pad, and got to jotting things down so they would stay in my brain. I wouldnāt call it note taking per se, because I never referred to my chickenscrach filled papers again. I simply used it to write things out in a way where I would have to slow down and grasp the concept, rather than typing it at my 80 WPM speed.
I ended up really liking using a legal pad, I felt very cool and mysterious.
IN: legal pads
OUT: google docs
STUDY SNACKS/BEVS
Everyone knows that when itās finals week, money doesnāt matter. You can spare any expense to ensure youāre fuelled with caffeine and nutrition.
I honestly ate like sh*t throughout finals. The DQ on campus was a nightly spot.
For beverages, I love a Celsius, thatās what fuelled me through. Also a double shot iced americano with a splash of oat milk
I did also drink bone broth every morning for that hit of protein.
Im not much of a study snacker, at the library ā because I think opening up a nature valley granola bar and spilling it all over the shared desks is a bit of a rookie move.
IN: americanos
OUT: nature valley granola bar
STRESS CONTROL
You gotta look out for your mental during finals. Performance anxiety is the devil. Avoid it.
Work hard. But not too hard.
Donāt study in your bedroom ā itās important to have a space where you feel completely detached from school.
I also did a š trip with friends on the weekend during finals. I wouldnāt say it helped or harmed me. It really did just give me a much needed break.
Donāt pull all nighters ā it fucks your brain up bad. trust meā¦ I know.
Remind yourself that itās not the end of the world if you donāt do well. Keep motivated. I watched a Tokyo Toni motivational speech video multiple times a day during finals (she speaks some truth).
The best way to approach finals is to embrace airport culture:
-No time norms at an airport, itās open 24hrs, so is your universityās library. Treat an early studying session at the library like an early flight to catch; wear your PJs, get some fast food breakfast, and power through.
-People survive the hell of travelling/the airport cause they know a vacation is the reward; you can survive the hell of studying/the library because you know winter break is your reward.
-You miss your flight? Stressful. But thereās always another one. You fail your final? Stressful, but you can always retake the course.
IN: airport culture
OUT: bed rot studying
ā¦ these are just some of my tips, and I hope they help.
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