Finals...They really are that bad

You spend the entire semester dreading them, crying in miserable anticipation. You figure out your grades over and over again, realizing that one test could ruin three months worth of work. Are finals really the terror that they're made out to be? Well, actually, yes. It would be hard to find someone who actually enjoys them, but there are ways to keep finals studying and worrying under control. Here are some tips for both college newcomers and fourth-year pros.

1. Read, or at least skim, all of the readings from your classes. Trust me, professors assign them for a reason, even if it's to put that one obnoxious question on the final from the book they figure nobody bothered to read.

2. Visit with your professor during his or her office hours. Yes, I know, you've been avoiding this all semester, but professors are there to help you out with class material. And they will be more prone to steer you in the right direction for the final if you actually take the initiative to meet with them outside of class.

3. Start studying early so you can ask questions. If you leave it until the last minute, like the night before, there won't be anyone to help you if there's an entire chemistry chapter that you still don't understand.

4. Go to help sessions throughout the semester. It's better to grasp class content little by little, rather than all at once. Don't plan on learning phys found the weekend before the final. It's not gonna happen.

5. Attend review sessions, even if you feel like you know all of the material. If professors or TAs take the time to offer them, it's beneficial for you to go. You never know what clues could be mentioned, and even if you know everything (which is doubtful), it's always helpful to hear other students' questions.

6. Go to the electronic reserves online and see if there are any old exams in the archives. A few professors have been known to unwittingly use the same exams as in past years without thinking twice. And old exams by the same professor will give you an idea of the types of questions that will be asked on your exam.

7. Ask the professor and/or TAs to come up with practice exams or question sets. Sure, it's one more thing to do, but I'm sure the professor has a better idea of what's crucial to practice before the exam, don't you?

8. Also, make sure the professor posts a practice exam with enough time for you to try and still ask questions about it if you have trouble. And if you can, get them to post solutions. Not all professors will, but it's worth a try.

9. Get notes from classes you've missed. You never know if during the one class you missed, the professor lectured on the most important topic of the semester. And it's best not to have the mentality of "oh well, it was only one class." Some professors have had, albeit ridiculously, one lecture constitute more than 30 percent of the final.

10. Reread your notes. Over and over again. And then again. And when you're done doing that, maybe you should read your notes. Trust me. If it's important enough to be included in lecture, it's important material for the exam.

11. Get relationship and/or other social problems under control. The week before finals is NOT the time to start dating someone new, end a relationship, take up weed or become a bar hopper. Relax and just go about your daily routine. No funny business, okay?

12. Develop a study schedule. It's hard as hell to be motivated to study, especially during reading period, when you don't even have to get up for class. And it's really confusing to try and work out how you're going to juggle studying for five finals. Write out a plan and stick to it. That way, you'll spend enough time on classes you're less sure about, and not overdo it for classes that you feel comfortable with.

13. Study with other classmates. Two minds are better than one, and it's a great way to make sure you've got all your bases covered. Throw questions back and forth, make outlines and, most importantly, TAKE BREAKS! Even two-minute breaks to catch up on gossip. Trust me, your overworked brain will appreciate it.

14. Get plenty of sleep, especially the night before an exam. Some people pull all-nighters and go right into the exam. Some people can do this and actually perform well on exams. But be advised that this is a very small majority of the population. Most people need to rest so they can think clearly and remain focused for the three-hour tests. Besides, chances are if you don't know it the night before, you're just not going to.

15. RELAX. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. IT WILL BE OKAY. By the time you walk into your finals, you'll be completely prepared. You will have studied until you were blue in the face. The best thing to do is walk in to those tests with confidence. Believe in yourself, and know that if you've given 100 percent, you've already succeeded.