It’s that time of year again, so how do members of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Community make it through midterms and finals? Read along for some helpful tips and insights!
Crislana R.
“How many of you relate to this feeling? You start the semester relatively refreshed and excited, perhaps joining some clubs or events. Then, schoolwork starts piling up in the next few weeks with midterms around the corner. After exams are done, you may be roughly two-thirds of the way into the semester.
Next, final exams and assignments from all your classes start cropping up, and they might seem like they’re due all at once. You’re starting to lose a bit of steam and feel less motivated, like you’re going through the motions. In short, you want a break; school is just one big hurdle to jump through.
As a senior, I highlight this scenario because, like many of you, I have often dreaded this time of year. So much stress is put on you during a short period of time, and this is usually when motivation can be at its lowest for many students. While finals and the end-of-semester rush can feel daunting, having the right mindset and strategy can help you thrive and reduce stress during this time of year.”
First and foremost, let’s talk about self-care. Desiree B. uses the 90/30 method: 90 minutes of focused study followed by 30 minutes of intentional recovery. This isn’t just about taking breaks – it’s about strategic renewal. During those 30 minutes:
- Practice 5-10 minutes of meditation or deep breathing.
- Prepare a healthy snack, like apples or granola.
- Get outside for a quick walk.
- Do a quick workout or stretching session. Move around, and stretch your legs!
Desiree B.
“Remember: Finals are a marathon, not a sprint. Your brain performs best when you treat it well. No all-nighters, no energy drink binges, and absolutely no skipping meals. Your future self will thank you for taking care of both your academic needs and your wellbeing during this challenging time.”
➕ Check out Focus Keeper, a free resource that Desiree recommends for maintaining focus during study blocks!
If you’re looking for a simple time management strategy, consider this advice:
Liz Victoria
“When studying for final exams, if you find yourself distracted, set a timer for 15 minutes. Allow yourself to take a break for 15 minutes, and then when the timer goes off, return to studying. This helps prevent a small break from turning into a large amount of distracted time.”
Returning to self-care, Crislana says, “Be kind to yourself every day.”
Crislana R.
“As an underclassman … scoring below the class average on an exam would make me question my abilities, while scoring above average led me to slack off. Over time, I learned grades are just a marker of progress in a course – not a measure of self-worth.
It’s normal to be disappointed when you get a grade you didn’t want. The most important thing is acknowledging and seeking ways to improve.”
This is called developing a growth mindset, and practicing self-kindness is central to developing this mindset, she explained. Understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, that learning is an ongoing process, and that you are more than just your grades.
“Another thing I find helpful is to keep a gratitude journal to jot down my small wins, or what I learned that day,” Crislana added.
➕ If that resonates with you, check out these gratitude journal prompts and free, printable journals recommended by Crislana!
And if it’s still not clear how important self-care is during this time, just take it from Sirihaasa Nallamothu when she says, “Treat Yo Self! Take naps in between, eat good food, treat yourself to boba.”
Now when it comes to studying, start out strong with another tip:
Sirihaasa N.
“Start reviewing earlier content now! Looking back at the last couple of units from the beginning of the school year up to October can help reinforce concepts. You can even go to office hours and beat the lines of stressed out students closer to finals season.
By starting now or even over Thanksgiving break, you can reduce your future anxiety, and reinforce what you’ve learned.”
When you’re ready to get started, Liz suggests making an effective study plan.
Liz V.
“Divide a large subject into smaller, more manageable tasks. When you start studying for exams, it can feel overwhelming. The best way to stay motivated is to think about subjects in terms of chapters or assignments.
Review the assignments that you feel less confident on first, then review the sections you feel more confident on. You will start to feel reassured and ready for the exams!”
Planning is one thing everyone agrees on, but don’t sweat it.
“Don’t worry about creating the perfect plan. The idea is to create a consistent habit of tracking your schedule. I want to emphasize that there is no right way to create a study plan since this is something personal for you based on your needs. However, creating a plan gets you thinking more about where your time goes each week, how much time you can dedicate daily to study, and raises your awareness of upcoming deadlines.” – Crislana Rafael
Crislana suggests using this resource to help create a plan that suits you, and several AiC Community members also suggested the Pomodoro method, including Banan Garada.
Banan G.
“How you study may be just as important as where you study.”
Consider finding a brightly lit spot to study – preferably one close to a window for fresh air and natural light!
And because we could all use good company during challenging times, ask your friends for help and study in groups.
Sirihaasa N.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people around you! I often find asking for help allows me to approach problems in different ways, and even understand the concept better! Studying in groups can also lead to collaboration … and a way to immediately ask for help!”
Even with the perfect plan, the perfect location, and the perfect companions, it’s still difficult to know what you don’t know. For this, Desiree suggests the “Explain It To A Five-Year-Old” method. She says the best way to identify gaps in your understanding is to try explaining complex concepts in simple terms. She uses this technique to:
- Create simple analogies for difficult concepts
- Record voice memos explaining topics and listen back
- Form study groups where each person teaches one topic
- Write explanations in plain language, avoiding technical terms
Desiree B.
“This method not only reinforces your understanding, but also helps identify areas where you need to review further.”
And finally, no matter what happens, remember this last message:
“The grade you get does not define your self worth! It doesn’t even define how much you learned in the class! Tests can have so many different factors that come into play, and one test score does not determine your life.” – Sirihaasa Nallamothu
