Opinion: Advice for surviving dead week

Ugh — Dead week is here, and finals are fast approaching. But fear not! Here are a few quick tips for surviving dead week.

Don’t Procrastinate

Procrastination is the achilles heel for many students — including mine. However, now is not the time to slack off. Purchase a planner or download a planner app to keep track of your assignments and their deadlines. Be frugal with the time you spend on social media — this can be a major distraction.

Create a Study Guide

You’ve probably taken notes throughout the quarter. But if you haven’t, it’s okay — now is the time to start. If your professor hands out a study guide filled with questions, attempt to answer them as you would on the test. Also study lecture powerpoints, as they can be great sources for definitions and other examples not found on the hard copy study guide. Sleep with your study guide underneath your pillow — I know it sounds silly, but it works.

Ask for Help

Believe it or not, your professors want to see you succeed. If you are unsure of something, don’t be afraid to ask your professor for help this week. Attend their office hours and ask questions. This is a great way to get clarification as well as develop a bond with your professor. Your classmates are also great sources.

Sleep Well

Several studies have shown that students who receive adequate amounts of sleep perform better on tests. In other words, cramming instead of sleeping the night before a test may not be the best course of action. Try your best this week to get seven to eight hours of rest and consider taking timed breaks in order to let your brain both rest and refresh. Getting enough sleep is crucial to retaining the information you studied.