How to ace your final exams

With the end of the semester right around the corner, students are getting ready to face one of the biggest fears in college: finals. 

Those last tests, presentations, performances and thesis defenses are what stand between students and summer vacation, and for some, graduation.

TU students will be hitting the books extra hard this week as they prepare for finals week, which begins Wed., May 13, and ends Tues., May 19. A complete finals schedule can be found on the Academic Calendar.

To help make the most of study time, the Tutoring and Learning Center says it’s important for students to plan ahead and boost their preparation for finals week.

“Developing a game plan now for how you approach finals week will help increase your confidence, decrease stress and reduce the pressure of pulling all-nighters,” says Elizabeth Scarbrough, center director.

She offered a few tips to “step up your game plan for your final and be able to retain and apply what you have learned throughout the semester.”

• Create a practice test or ask a classmate to create one for you.
• Use spaced practice to actively engage with the information, develop study tools and self-test as you go.
• Develop a finals-week schedule with your specific exam times and study plans.
• Identify what you need to study and chunk the material into manageable sections.
• Develop your own study guide and check to see if there is information you are missing.
• Compare your notes to a classmate’s.
• Organize a study group.

Another way to prepare is to attend one of the Tutoring and Learning Center’s Finals Q&A events, held Mon., May 11, and Tues., May 12, from 4–7 p.m. in Cook Library.

Students can ask questions about finals prep while also grabbing a snack. The subjects supported will depend on the tutors available for the events.

“Our Finals Q&A event is a quick way to help students access support for last-minute questions as they prepare for final exams,” Scarbrough says. “By bringing our tutoring services from math, science, business and liberal arts to our main location in Cook Library for the event, it makes it easier for students.

“Everyone is studying for finals, so we also hope that students who may stop by for the first time during the event will make a connection to us for future semesters.”

Finals and your mental health

Along with studying, it’s also important to prioritize mental health during this stressful time.

Finals week has a way of convincing students the only path to success is nonstop grinding. However, a steadier approach that includes breaks, self-care and connection will often get them further and leave them less burned out.

“Prioritizing mental health is essential year-round, but it becomes especially critical during finals, when stress is high and self-care is often the first thing students drop,” says Erica Lokshin, director of health promotion and prevention education at TU.

“Maintaining routines, using coping strategies that work for you and taking intentional breaks are not distractions—they’re investments. When students actively manage their mental health, they support not only their well-being but also their productivity, focus and clarity.”

Here are some tips from Lokshin to help manage stress during finals and the last few weeks of the semester:

• Prioritize daily tasks – Set three to five realistic goals each day to help you stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.
• Protect your routine – Sleep is the big one. Protect your sleep routine as much as possible to help with mood, productivity and focus. Try to eat regular meals and stay hydrated instead of relying only on caffeine.
• Schedule your breaks – Step back from study sessions to go for a walk or stretch to rest your mind.
• Use stress management techniques – Remember strategies that work for you, whether that’s deep breathing, mindfulness, listening to music, journaling or connecting with nature. Even a few minutes can help reset your mind and body.
• Put it into words – Stress tends to build when everything stays in your head. Putting your stress into words can bring relief. Talk it out with a friend, study with classmates or write down what’s on your mind.
• Reach out for support – You are not alone! Reaching out early can make things feel more manageable. Connect with the Counseling Center, Tutoring and Learning Center, Peer Well-Being Coaching or Student Outreach & Support (SOS) . 

For even more resources, check out Towson University’s well-being resources. 

When students actively manage their mental health, they support not only their well-being but also their productivity, focus and clarity.

Erica Lokshin

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