— By Benjamin Cadigan, Journalism and Linguistics major, Class of 2025
Finals week can often feel overwhelming, but with the right support, resources, and planning, you can destress, stay healthy, and #FinishStrong this semester.
Peer to peer, here are some study and
self-care tips to get you to the finish line.
Sleep. Keeping up with sleep can be difficult when you feel like you have so much to do. Healthy sleep is necessary to keep your mind and memory sharp.
Organize your study space. Find a space to study where you feel comfortable—consider noise-level, lighting, and potential distractions. Keeping your space organized can help your mind feel organized and less overwhelmed. Spread out studying. Don’t try to cram for exams. Repetition is important to retain information, so have multiple, short study sessions for a specific course leading up to your exam.
Create a study schedule. It’s important to stay on track with studying, so you aren’t trying to cram right before the exam. Make a schedule, chart out all you have to get through, and check things off as you go. This can help you stay on task, and also it feels good when you check off a task. Make sure you aren’t expecting too much from yourself, and set realistic, healthy goals. Develop a rhythm around studying and fit it into your daily routine.
Take breaks. Everybody needs to take breaks, and it is okay to recognize when you need to pause while studying. If you can’t focus or you feel you’re struggling to remember something, take a meaningful break. Go for a walk, go somewhere new, or do something new. Spend time with people you care about. Give yourself time to recharge, and don’t overwork yourself.
Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. You can’t keep going if you don’t refuel your body. Make sure you drink plenty of water (don’t overdo the caffeine) and give your body good foods. Have snacks available for your scheduled study breaks.
Find a study method that works for you. There are a lot of different ways to study: Study with a friend, rewrite notes, try using acronyms for memorization, or make diagrams, checklists, or flashcards. Try different methods until you find what sticks best with you.
Movement can help you Finish Strong this academic year. Join Self-care Week with Recreation and Wellbeing, Dec. 15–22, 2022. Or get outside, take a walk, and breath in some fresh air.
Most importantly, take care of yourself.
Academic and Study Support/Events
Study Day – Campus Study Day is Thursday, Dec. 15 and is an opportunity for students to prepare for final exams.
- Dean of Students Christina Olstad is hosting a Study Day break event at College Library on Dec. 15, 1:30-3 p.m. at College Library. Rev up with coffee or hot chocolate to help Finish Strong.
- Other specific Study Day events are happening with University Veterans Services (UVS).
Center for Healthy Minds app – The UW Center for Healthy Minds has a meditation app to help you maintain your mental health. You can find the app here.
Greater University Tutoring Services (GUTS) — GUTS offers finals week support through drop-in tutoring services. See the full daily drop-In schedule.
Multicultural Student Center —The MSC offers academic support in the form of drop-in tutoring hours, study table or space reservation, and advising assistance. Check out the MSC drop-in hours and services here.
- Also, the MSC and Gender and Sexual Campus Center (GSCC) invite students to the winter study jam on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 4-10 p.m. in the Red Gym!
Library—College Library offers a variety of quiet and group study spaces and is open every day during regular semester sessions. Many services are available on a walk-in basis, and you can make group study room reservations for a quiet place to study.
The Writing Center—Schedule an individual appointment with The Writing Center or visit drop-in hours for help at any stage of your writing process as you work to submit final papers. In-person or online appointments are available.
Take that break (we really mean it). Take an art break. Enjoy a free art study break Dec. 19-22 at Wheelhouse Studios at Memorial Union. You can also drop-in to create art at Wheelhouse noon-10 p.m. daily, where you can explore many types of art, such as pottery, glasswork, metal work, painting, and screen printing.
Fuel up. The Wisconsin Union team has released recipes for some of its menu items, so you can make some of your favorites from the Union’s restaurants, markets, and cafes. Check them out here, including a just released Rice Krispies treats recipe.
It’s the Peet’s Finals Countdown to 2023 Dec. 12-16! Visit the Wisconsin Union’s Peet’s Coffee at Memorial Union and Prairie Fire at Union South for the chance to win a Peet’s Coffee bundle backpack filled with goodies for finals, including a tumbler, a notepad, and reusable bag plus Wisconsin Union goodies.
Random Acts of Kindness from the Wisconsin Union: To help ease the stress of finals, the Wisconsin Union team will host food and beverage giveaways at Memorial Union and Union South Dec. 16-19. While at the buildings, enjoy the Union’s many shared spaces that offer ample and comfortable for studying. Check out a student’s suggestions for study spots: terraceviews.org/study-spots.
This semester was hard, and you’re almost to the end. Good luck, Badgers. You’re doing it. Feel proud and take care of yourself. You’ve got this.