Dear Ask Life,

Finals start next week and I feel like my brain is one browser tab away from crashing. How do I study without completely falling apart?

Sincerely,

Overstimulated Student

Dear Overstimulated Student,

We’ve all been there — at the end of every semester, actually. Instead of spiraling, let’s get strategic. With four in-person exams, two final essays and a presentation, it’s easy to get overwhelmed during dead week. You don’t need to study everything at once — you just need a plan, some snacks and a little compassion for yourself. The key is focusing on what you can control.

Start by taking care of your body. Do what you can to reduce stress. Move your body, go on a walk — even stepping outside for a breath of fresh air can help. Your brain will thank you.

When it comes to studying, switch it up to keep your brain engaged. Write your notes instead of typing them. Rewriting your notes can also help with retention. Rotate between flashcards, exam reviews and even different subjects to keep your focus fresh.

Now’s also the time to become besties with your calendar (yes, the app counts too!) Calendars help map out your week and mentally prepare you. Add your exam reviews, final times and essay deadlines. Prioritize the harder subjects first; nothing is more rewarding than crossing a dreaded exam off your to-do list.

While scrolling your phone may feel like a break, you’re already spending a lot of time looking at screens. Take a real break. Write in your journal, go for a walk, stare at the wall, do something that makes your brain happy.

It might be tempting to fuel yourself with Red Bull and gummy bears, but protein-rich snacks will keep you going without the sugar-crash jitters. Drink water, eat fruit and whatever you do, do not pull an all-nighter. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep will keep you sharp and improve memory. Sleep strengthens recall and increases energy; who doesn’t want that?

Want to avoid burnout? The Pomodoro Technique boosts focus and prevents exhaustion by dividing studying into intervals. Study for 25 minutes, take a five-minute break and repeat until you’ve done this four times. The technique was created by university student Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. Cirillo struggled with procrastination and experimented with new techniques to improve focus. Using a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (yes, pomodoro is Italian for tomato), he turned procrastination into a global productivity hack. His method proves even procrastination can lead to innovation — take his advice and start a timer!

There are lots of study tips out there, but ultimately, be kind to yourself. You are doing your best. Focus on progress, not perfection. If you are showing up, trying and taking care of yourself along the way, you are already ahead.

After finals, reward yourself! Treat yourself to your favorite coffee. Sleep in. Sit in the sun. Do absolutely nothing for a day. Turn off Canvas notifications like it’s your toxic ex. Enjoy your summer, Coug, you did it!

Sincerely,

The Life Section