With everything that’s going on in the world right now, preparing for finals might seem like the last thing you want to do. But hang in there we only have a week left! Here are some tips to help keep focused while studying for your finals:

Set a schedule

Online classes might seem like they’d be less time consuming but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I know from personal experience that it is very easy to fall behind if you don’t set a schedule and stick to it. As we go into finals, this becomes even more important and designating specific study blocks for all of your exams and projects can be a huge help.

Create a designated study spot

Most of us are in a position where we can barely leave our homes and this is why creating your own space for studying is extra important. It can become easy to blur the lines between work and play and lose focus when you are stuck in the same place. I set aside my desk to be my study spot where only school work can happen (no scrolling on Tiktok, watching Netflix, etc.) If you don’t have a desk, try to find a quiet space where you know you can do work. Knowing you have a designated place to study helps to stay organized and focused. 

Limit social media/news access

This one is hard but I think it is necessary in order to have the best mindset possible heading into finals. While it is important to keep up on current events, an overload of information on this pandemic can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. I know I get stressed by the uncertainty of it all. Try to take a break from the news and social media in order to be able to focus on yourself and what is important for your success. That information will still be there to catch up on after you’ve finished the semester.

Maintain healthy habits

At a time like this, taking care of your mental and physical health becomes more important than ever. Yes, finals are important. But your health is more important! Make sure that you are taking care of yourself throughout these final days of the semester. 

Take breaks

This ties in directly to your health. You should be rewarding yourself for the hard work you’ve been doing and for the strength you’ve had throughout this difficult semester. It’s been a stressful time and that is okay! So yes, study hard but every once in a while, take a walk or watch a movie, or simply just take a moment to rest and reflect on your current state of mind. 

Stay connected with others

It’s easy to feel lonely during finals season. It’s even easier to feel lonely during a global pandemic. Even though we can’t meet up with friends like we’d like to, it still helps a lot to communicate with others. So plan a Zoom meeting with the friends you met in Athens, or give that relative you haven’t talked to in a while a call. Connecting with others will help to motivate you and keep you in good spirits. Afterall, most of them are in a similar situation to you!

Reach out

In addition to staying connected with friends and family, it is important to reach out to your professors at CYA and any other staff that may be of help. Everyone is dealing with classes and finals being online and it is challenging from both sides. If you are struggling or unsure about something in one of your classes don’t hesitate to reach out. We all understand what we are going through and we all have to to support each other. 

If you have any study tips that you personally live by let us know @cyathens on Instagram.

And good luck with finals!