Yes, it’s that time of year: blooming flowers, warming weather… and dreaded finals week. It’s completely normal to feel stressed during the last few weeks of school, especially with summer just out of reach. But you’re so close to the finish line—why not end the year strong? Here are some of the best tips to stay sane and crush those finals.
Stay Organized
Our top recommendation? Grab a planner or a to-do list notebook, stat. It’s so much more convenient to have all your assignments, tests, project deadlines, club meetings and big events in one portable place. Not only is it a total lifesaver for keeping track of everything going on in your life, but it also gives you space to plan out each day—especially crucial during the busy weeks leading up to finals. You can even use it to schedule study blocks, breaks and self-care time. Trust us, your future self will thank you!
Set Mini Goals
Reviewing a whole semester’s worth of information is tough—but totally doable! Go easy on yourself and focus on working smarter, not harder. Instead of cramming multiple units the night before your final, set aside a little time each day to study. Use tools like Quizlet, re-read your notes or textbooks and try writing things out by hand to help your brain retain the info. Small steps add up!
Keep the Distractions to a Minimum
That new show everyone’s talking about, the millions of notifications on your phone, your favorite YouTuber’s latest vlog or that group chat blowing up? They can all wait. The long-term benefits of focusing on studying instead of giving in to distractions are so worth it—we promise. You’ll feel amazing when those straight As roll in, and the best part? You can binge all the shows, scroll through TikTok and catch up on everything once it’s over. Stay strong, you’ve got this!
Take Care of Yourself
The last few weeks of high school can be physically and emotionally draining. That’s why it’s so important to get enough sleep each night to rest and recharge for the next day. Trying to power through a huge workload all at once can lead to burnout fast. Instead, give yourself regular breaks—your brain needs time to reset, too! Take a short walk, grab a snack or listen to a calming playlist. With proper rest and smart pacing, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Send us your favorite studying tips to @girlslifemag and let us know how your studying is going!
For more studying inspo, check out these posts:
✏️ The Ultimate Exam Szn Survival Guide
✏️ Try These Study Hacks To End Your Procrastination Habits
✏️ 4 Ways to Survive the End-of-Semester Stress
Top image: @loganhotzberger
