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A finals week survival guide: Tips on time management for the last week of the semester

A graphic of a building on a floating island with mountains, thought bubbles, sun and moon
Photo by Dorothy Chiu

Start Right and Bright

Try and get an early start each morning. Getting work done early will increase your productivity throughout the day and help you accomplish more.

Stay Active

Head to the gym, go for a ride on the Maleakahana bike path, or take a run around Laie. Make time for exercise.

Use Your Resources

Pay a visit to your professor during office hours, utilize on-campus tutors, or spend time studying in the library rather than being distracted in your room.

Avoid Social Media

As fun as it is to Snapchat your friends and watch funny videos on YouTube, take a break from those things for the week.

Serve

Serving others is one way to feel better about yourself and your circumstances. A few ideas are to surprise a studying student with a snack, pick up litter around campus, or send someone and encouraging note.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Staying hydrated will help you feel more alert and ready to conquer your exams. Dehydration causes fatigue and headaches, which will distract you and make studying more difficult.

Divide and Conquer

Don’t try to do everything at once. Make a plan, prioritize, and don’t over-think your tasks.

Get Some Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep throughout the week will help you stay more focused and have more energy.

“Treat Yo’ Self”

After studying for a few hours, concentration will likely be fading and a break is necessary. Take some time to buy yourself some ice cream or go for a quick trip to the beach. Whatever you consider a treat, treat yourself to it.

Take a Walk

To the temple, the beach, or even your fridge – a change of scenery can often make studying more effective. Take a quick break to enjoy the beauty of the island, then get back to work.