Finals loom as the one ultimate obstacle to hurdle before a relaxing holiday break. You might already feel that you’ve been preparing for finals the whole semester or alternatively, maybe you feel that you haven’t prepared enough. But no matter how ready you feel, there are several tips on how to stay focused during finals season while remaining collected and enjoying the other fun parts of the holidays. Sound too good to be true? Well, keep reading and see if any of our hacks could transform your hectic finals routine.

How to Focus on Studying for Finals

Balance holiday obligations with studying time

The last thing any of us need is the pressure of buying gifts, finalizing travel plans, and baking cookies for a holiday party further stressing us out. Luckily, most finals weeks are early in December, so you’ll have plenty of time after finals are over to find gifts for your family and friends back home.

If you need to find a gift before departing for break, plan a study break to liven up the monotony of a studying marathon to go shopping. No one expects you to come up with the perfect holiday present, so don’t become stressed when perusing the aisles for potential gifts. Devote the immediate days before finals to focus on school obligations and keep in mind you’ll have time afterward to attend to other seasonal duties.

Beware of the “I’ll do it in the morning” temptation

The thought to put off a task until the next morning is a common and universal temptation that can result in disaster. You’re working on a project late and eventually your eyes can barely focus on the screen and stay open. You convince yourself that you will have plenty of time tomorrow morning to finish up loose ends. However, the “I’ll have time to do this in the morning” approach rarely ends in success.

Mornings can be hectic and trying to squeeze in last-minute writing before class often ends in sloppy and incomplete work being submitted. Waking up early is something we convince ourselves we can do, but hitting snooze for another hour is often irresistible. The only thing that should be reserved for morning is a quick glance at your notes before an exam to ensure certain material is fresh in your mind.

However, do not take this tip as a proponent for pulling all-nighters consistently. It has also been proven that studying until that late at night does not help retain more information. At a certain point, your brain cannot successfully remember any more material and when sleep-deprived, your long-term memory functions so poorly that no amount of coffee can counteract the effects.

Practice specificity in scheduling

A key to maintain focus and stay on schedule leading up to finals week is to budget certain blocks of time devoted to individual study time alone. While studying with friends is much more fun, the amount of progress plummets with social distractions.

Whether going over a semester’s worth of PowerPoints and notes or buckling down to write a final paper, quiet, solitary time spent doing these things is a necessity. However, scheduling a 5-hour block on a Sunday just for general ‘studying time’ is not specific enough.

Take a couple minutes to assess your overall finals workload: papers, exams, lingering assignments, etc. Then, see what obligation requires the most time and/or urgency and create a tentative itinerary for your studying blocks. Planning your studying time will help combat the aimlessness we often feel sitting in front of a computer not sure where to even start. By specifically knowing what will be worked on and when your focus and motivation will skyrocket and your studying time will be maximized to the fullest effectiveness.

You do not however, need to be a strict adherent to the timelines of your schedule (when the words are flowing for an essay, ride that wave for as long as you can!), having it planned out will assist tremendously in ensuring productivity.

Avoid the grade calculation pitfall

Depending on how your university calculates final grades, it is common to spend time calculating just how high of a mark you’ll need on the final exam to bump that B to an A or that A- to an A+.

While this process can be useful in some cases to help set a benchmark, try to not let it take too much time away from actually studying. Computing your target grade might seem like you’re being responsible and productive, but it truthfully takes away time from studying for the exam itself, which you will score higher on the more you focus on the material rather than the grade.

Also, try to not let your goal grade stress you out during the exam itself. Don’t let the mindset of only missing a certain number of questions distract you from staying focused and maintaining a clear mind.

Create an environment conducive to concentration

It can be advantageous to invest in some noise-canceling headphones if ambient noise easily derails your concentration. Technology ranks among the other peskiest distractions, so putting your cell phone on do not disturb is extremely beneficial. Having a separate window open on your laptop is also helpful when studying and can prevent mindless clicking on other opened tabs that will waste time.

Strategies for Staying Focused During Exams

Take time to relax beforehand

Before the exam, it can be helpful to employ relaxation techniques such as listening to classical music or taking a few moments to meditate. Reduce potential stress-inducing situations such as arriving late to an exam due to traffic or parking by leaving your place with plenty of time to spare. Arrive at the building where the exam would be an hour beforehand and find a spot in that building to look over notes one last time. Then, you can arrive at the exam room in plenty of time in order to get settled before it begins.

Block out distracting noise

If allowed by the professor, bringing earplugs can help prevent distraction from various sniffling and paper shuffling by classmates during the exam. Something as minute as an ill-timed coughing fit should not derail months of preparation and hard work.

Don’t think ahead

I have often let my mind wander halfway through an exam to thoughts of the next impending test or assignment. This is the ultimate interruption of staying focused in the moment and facing each final one by one. Try to not think of anything that will happen after the exam you’re currently working on in order to circumvent compounding future stress on the current stress you’re already facing.

Additionally, you can try to center your focus with actions such as chewing gum or deep breathing to help clear your mind and minimize disruptive thoughts during an exam.

All of the hype around the infamous finals week can often contribute to even more stress and worry. Remember that this one exam or paper is not going to dictate the remainder of your life. If a particular test is inducing an insurmountable amount of anxiety, reach out to the professor to express your concerns. Talking with a classmate can also help. Take advantage of any special services your college may provide that are designed to help you remain relaxed and grounded during finals week.

During finals week and the preceding days, it is also crucial to maintain a semblance of your former routine by making an effort to eat healthily, sleep for a decent amount of time every night, and take breaks to exercise or go outside (even though it may be freezing). Having tunnel vision for an exam while ignoring normalcy and happiness altogether can be especially harmful in the short and long run.

Therefore, schedule your specific study outline now, start preparing for the most time-consuming exams and papers, and take a deep breath while looking forward to a much-deserved holiday break that awaits you after conquering yet another finals week.

What to do after finals? Have some fun and plan an outdoor adventure trip, for example!

This article was written by BookScouter contributor Parker Stubhar.

Parker Strubhar is a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma and currently resides and works in Washington D.C. He is also a freelance writer. Business inquiries can be directed to parkerstrubhar20@gmail.com.

Finding an internship doesn’t have to be daunting. 

With a clear goal and right resources, you’re well on your way to getting a great internship! 

We’ve found the top internship platforms and outlined how to best use these tools to land your ideal internship. 

Below is a list of the top five internship search platforms (with two bonus tools). We’ve broken them down into categories. 

First, we highlight platforms you can access on your own. Next, you’ll see platforms that you need a college email to use. Last but not least, there are two bonus platforms that your college must have a partnership with for you to access. All are beneficial and worth using to find your internship. 

Top Platforms you can research on your own: 

Let’s start with Internships.com. 

This platform is powered by Chegg, which you may be familiar with already. This tool uses the Chegg expertise in empowering and equipping students for success to provide you with excellent tools. 

Best Features: 

You can create your own profile

Search by category, location, or type keywords into the search box

They offer resume, application, interview, and job advice to help you prepare for an internship and your career

Notes popular searches and trending markets 

Next up: LinkedIn! 

Did you know that you can use your LinkedIn account to search for internships? Pretty rad right? Especially since your profile can include your resume, link to your website, and samples of your portfolio already. 

Hit search and then start making those connections. Don’t be afraid to click “Connect.” When you do, make sure you send a message letting the hiring manager know which position you are interested in learning more about or how to apply. 

Best Features: 

Provides tips and resources for interns

Easy to make connections with those hiring or current interns

Ability to see if you have mutual connections who may be able to introduce you

You can read articles and resources that the organization has created to learn if it’s the type of company culture you are looking for

Third up is Wayup! 

Wayup is a leader in helping college students find internships and jobs right out of college. They partner with over 20,000 employers to connect them with their next best hire, AKA you! 

Best Features: 

Share information about yourself and they’ll highlight jobs that fit your experience and strengths

Create your own profile

Search for all sorts of opportunities all over the world

Ability to connect directly with those hiring

Receive tips and resources for interning, your major, how to apply, interviewing, and doing well at your job or internship

Review lists of types of internships you may be interested in based on your major

Next, we have: Idealist.com. 

Idealist.com offers job, volunteer, graduate programs, and internship opportunities. They focus much of their efforts on companies making a difference in the world. 

Best Features: 

Can search for internships based on keyword, skill, interest or location

Able to use this platform for more than searching for internships

Ability to filter options by choosing location, remote/on-site, compensation, type of organization, area of social justice, and your skills/field

Career blog with tips and insights 

The best platform to research using your college email address is Handshake. 

Handshake is similar to the other search engines above, but with one caveat. You need a .edu email address to use this platform. Once signed up, Handshake is easy to use. This platform is very mobile forward, making the application process a little more relaxed. 

Best Features: 

Create your own profile 

Relevant jobs are sent directly to you

Filter through opportunities

Apply to multiple jobs (as many as you want) 

Read reviews from previous interns 

Ability to direct message students who received job offers at the companies you are researching

See industry trends 

Job recommendations based on your preferences 

Career Tips blog 

Top platforms connecting job opportunities directly to your school: 

While any individual can sign up to use the platforms above, the following two internship opportunity databases are only accessible if your school has an account with them. Not sure if your school is a member? Reach out to either platform or your school’s career center. 

First up, Experience.com.

This platform is key for employers. They post job opportunities that will be shared with the career centers at eligible schools (ahem, those who are members). Want to see if your school is on the list? CLICK HERE! You’ll want to make sure your school is on the list to ensure that YOU are eligible to apply for these amazing internship and job opportunities from tens of thousands of highly respected businesses. 

Experience.com also offers sound advice on internships. 

The next platform that your school needs to connect with is http://www.careershift.com/. 

CareerShift provides tools to schools that empower students to find the right jobs for them. Perks include: 

Setting alerts 

Filtering via salary, company, location, field, etc. 

Easy-to-use interface

Access to contact information of hiring managers

Search, store and organize searches and contacts 

Before you begin your search, make sure you understand your goal when applying for the internship. The following tips will help you best utilize the internship platforms. 

In addition to general work experience, ask yourself if you are looking for experience in a specific field? 

Yes? Jot that down! The name of that “field” will be helpful as you begin your search. 

Some examples of fields include: 

Looking to grow with a specific company or learn a niche kill? These will also serve as great keywords. 

Some examples of companies that hire interns: 

Some examples of niche skills you can learn at internships are below. Type these skills in your “keyword” search: 

Project management

Expand knowledge on a specific area of engineering

Business development

Private and public sector partnerships 

Consulting 

Event planning

Press releases 

Social media marketing 

Now, before you begin your search, also consider the amount of distance from your home you’d be comfortable traveling for your internship. Is it within a 15-mile radius or are you looking to relocate for the internship? On most platforms, you are provided a space to indicate location. This box may auto-populate your city. Depending on the platform, you may be able to indicate a radius around your home town or you could leave it blank. See what comes up! 

Alright now with your keywords selected ( field of work, company, skill, and location), you are ready to use the platforms (head back up to the top of this post) to find your internship! 

With these search engines, we hope you find the internship that will jump-start your fulfilling career! 

Looking for even more guidance in finding a purposeful internship? Check out our full guide on How to Land a Great Internship and Make It Count.