It’s that time of year…again. Finals week is just around the corner. Missouri State’s campus has some amazing resources for students to prepare for, survive, and crush finals week! This is now my fourth finals week at MSU, so I’ve got some tips and tricks up my sleeve to share with you all.  

Study Spots on Campus 

The location where you study is crucial to the quality of your focus and productivity. Missouri State University has the best nooks and crannies around campus! The Meyer Library has four floors, with designated “social” and “quiet” zones. So, when studying in a group, the social zone is perfect for you or if you do your best studying in silence, the quiet zones are where to go.  

The library also has study rooms for groups or to study alone, whiteboards for making flow charts or taking notes, dry-erase markers you can rent and so much more! It has specific finals week hours tailored for students to do early morning or late-night study sessions. The walking desks on the second floor make this spot my personal favorite; they are great for students, like me, who might get antsy after studying for a period of time. 

Glass Hall has balconies where you get a beautiful view of campus while you study. In contrast, you can also go to the Plaster Student Union picnic tables to enjoy the spring flowers and see the famous quad! Bonus points to the PSU for easy access to get a caffeine pick-me-up. I could go on forever about the awesome study spots on campus, so just know you can’t go wrong! 

Study Resources 

In addition to great study locations, Mo State also has incredible resources available to students. The Bear Claw, located in the southeast corner of the first floor of the Meyer Library, provides tutors for a variety of classes all semester long. Furthermore, many courses offer PASS sessions, or peer assisted study sessions. These are custom designed for the course and led by students who have already succeeded in the course. They often make practice tests, slide shows and study sessions during the week of your exams.  

Another resource not always highlighted is attending professors’ office hours. Each professor has blocked off time in the week for students to come to ask questions or get further help. I think of it this way: there is no one who knows the exams and course content better than them! They are the perfect person to ask. You can easily find when and where each professor holds their office hours by looking in your course syllabus or emailing them.  

Study Tips 

Once you’ve got your study nook and utilized your resources, it is so important that you study efficiently. I don’t know about you, but there have been many times that I’ve spent hours in the library and studied something that should have only taken an hour. Here are a few techniques you can use to make sure you are studying to the best of your ability! 

The Pomodoro Technique  

This study technique includes separating your studying into 25-minute intervals, followed by 5-minute breaks. For example, if I have two hours to study for my psychology exam, I will study diligently for 25 minutes and then take a break for five minutes by walking around, looking at my phone or talking to a friend. I then repeat these three more times to reach the two hours. This technique is super effective and easy! 

Minimize Distractions 

While it is not a specific method or approach to studying, it is just as important that you minimize distractions. While it can be difficult, you must put your phone away! Even a few seconds of distraction can break our focus. Leaving your phone in your bag, giving it to a friend or setting screen-time limits are all beneficial ways to maintain focus on your schoolwork.  

Additionally, get to know yourself and the ways you study best. If you know that you are easily distracted around your friends, it might be best to study individually and then meet up with them later. On the other hand, if you do your best collaboratively, then you should invite your classmates to the library! The whiteboards are a great tool when in a study group. 

Take a Break! 

Last but certainly not least, take a break! Finals week can be stressful and exhausting, so it is crucial to let yourself rest and recoup. Some simple ways to do so include taking a walk, getting coffee with a friend or taking a nap. Doing so will not only help ease anxieties but also improve your overall test-taking abilities and study habits. Finals week may feel overwhelming, but with the right environment, resources and study habits, you’ve got this. 

Takeaways 

So, with finals just a few weeks away, set yourself up for success! Find your favorite study spot, utilize the resources on campus and practice strong study techniques and habits. Looking for more final tips or help with other academic skills or university resources? Meet with a Success Coach or Peer Mentor! Most importantly, remember to take care of yourself, stay focused and finish the semester strong. Go Bears! 

~Sophia Clinton 

(Bio: I am a second-year Exercise Science major at Mo State. Fun Fact about me is that I love to run and completed my first half marathon in November.)