By Katlin Sweeney

Features Editor

Make sure your study habits are not only effective, but perfect for you.
As exam week is approaching, students are beginning to stress out over essays and finals preparation. Here are some ways that you can avoid becoming overwhelmed:
1. Maintain Organization & Goal Lists
Before you even begin to study for finals, mark a calendar with all of your finals dates, important due dates and anything you may forget. Prepare a study schedule with individual goals for every day you plan to prepare, that way you do not become too overwhelmed and know what you can accomplish each day before drifting off to sleep.
2. Eat Healthy
When studying for exams, healthy eating is a must. While the ice cream and Bagel Bites look appetizing, your mind works much better when you are eating food that helps you think instead of making you tired. Try snack food alternatives like grapes, yogurt, carrots or salads. Almonds, peanuts, walnuts and cashews especially are known for being good sources of energy. Trading in the M&Ms and candy bars for healthy alternatives might sound like a hassle, but by the time your exams come up, you will be feeling much more awake and alert.
3. Get Hydrated
Although it can be tempting with a Starbucks on campus, try to avoid the sugary frappachino and coffee runs. Getting yourself hydrated with beverages like water and tea are a much better alternative than sodas and energy drinks that bring your energy down after a short period of time. Your body functions best when you drink a lot of water and spending hours studying will definitely leave you needing something to get hydrated.
4. Don’t Study Yourself Out!
While preparing for your final may require three hours of hard-core studying, do not forget to take breaks to clear your head. One of the easiest ways to remember to do this is by studying for fifty minutes out of every hour, then taking the remaining ten minutes off for a break. If you remember to pace yourself versus trying to cram all of your studying into one giant block, you will find that you are more successful.
5. Stop Looking at the Computer
When taking those study breaks, make sure that your activities include things away from the computer. Whether it is taking a walk around your neighborhood or dorm building, stretching or going to the gym, moving around will get you re-energized to keep studying. Avoid turning on the video games, television, Facebook and cell phone, even during study breaks, to make sure that you do not turn that ten-minute break into a five-hour distraction period.
6. Make a Motivation Playlist
In between study blocks, turn on a playlist of songs that will motivate you to keep working after your ten minutes are over. Here are some to get you started:
“Hey Jude” by The Beatles
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
“We Are the Champions” by Queen
“Stop and Smell the Roses” by Ringo Starr
“Things Can Only Get Better” by Howard Jones
7. Sleep is Important
Even though studying is a crucial part of preparation for finals, sleep is just as important. While it is recommended that a college student get eight hours of solid sleep, when you are restricted to less, make sure to get five hours at the worst. Anything less than that will prohibit you from performing your best on exams, as well as keep you feeling drained throughout the day. When possible, try to take power naps in between study blocks or in place of a ten-minute break. Make sure to limit yourself to thirty minutes at the most, otherwise you may end up sleeping through your study time.
8. Keep a Positive Attitude
If you go into studying thinking negatively about what you need to do, chances are you will have a harder time focusing and being motivated. Whether by putting together a study group, visiting the Math Lab or Writing Center to get help on difficult assignments/concepts, or going to office hours to talk to your professor about the exam, find ways to make sure that you are not so bummed about the work that you cannot get enough done.
Whatever methods you choose to use, make sure to stay motivated and focused for your finals. Good luck!