Tips and Tricks to Survive Finals Season 

By: Meadow Orange | Publish Date: April 27th, 2026

Finals week is the make or break of college. The past three months of completing assignments, trying to maintain the GPA that you fully deserve, all come down to this one week. 

Unfortunately, it’s also often during the time everyone needs a break the most. This may lead people to procrastinate, as fatigue and self-doubts may cause the urge to become a lazy person—potentially leading to that grade you desperately want to keep going right down the drain.  

Between schoolwork, volunteering, internships, extracurriculars, and usually a part time job, it’s very challenging to have everything put together as a college student. Not even to mention trying to make time for you and loved ones. 

During this state, you may say “just do it”. However, that sounds easier said than done; those three words always come to mind when I have a long list of assignments waiting for me. You may think about it the same way you think about doing laundry or preparing a meal; as something you complain about in the moment, but the task still needs to get done. The longer you avoid starting, the more overwhelming the ever-increasing workload becomes. What could’ve just been a quick assignment turned into hours of unnecessary stress. Taking action early gives you more control over your time and help you stay ahead instead of constantly catching up. 

The assignments need to be done, but self-care also matters, especially during a stressful time like this. 

Create a Day-by-Day Schedule 

Wherever life takes you, creating a structural plan for your day helps you stay aware of what is coming next. Before you get ready to end your day, you can look at the assignments you need to complete the next day and plan around it. Before you go to sleep, write down what your day will look like, so you know exactly what needs to be done each hour. 

This gives you a clear understanding of your responsibility and reduces the chances of forgetting something important. A schedule also can help you balance schoolwork in personal time without feeling rushed. Overtime, this routine becomes a habit that makes your day feel more organized and manageable. 

Schedule a Break 

It’s a fairly simple task to remind yourself what needs to be done when meeting your deadlines, but it’s just as important to schedule breaks. Giving yourself time to rest prevents you from becoming overly tired or mentally drained. Breaks help you rest your mind so you can return to your work with more clarity and energy. Stepping away for a moment makes your work feel less stressful and more manageable. 

Breaks also help you maintain motivation because you are not forcing yourself to push nonstop. When you build rest into your routine, you create a healthier balance that supports long-term productivity. A common rule for taking breaks is taking a 10-minute break for every hour of studying.  

Stay Active 

Sitting down for hours and hours can really take a toll on your focus when the time comes to get the very important. Taking just a 20-minute walk could help your mood, focus, and health. If you’re up for more of a challenge, hiking is something that can help you clear your mind.  

“Hiking had changed me mainly mentally as seeing how little my problems become once I’m out in nature,” Johanna Chitaapa, Treasurer of the Union Hiking Club, said, “the long walks help me slow down and enjoy every moment. 

Breathing Techniques  

While walking or hiking both do a wonder for mood and focus, many students feel like they don’t have the time to change their environment during those long study sessions. 

Something as simple as breathing techniques can help you rest your mind when you don’t have time to step away. Closing your eyes, take slow deep breaths, and let your attention drift away from distractions so your body can release some of the stress you’re carrying can do wonders. Even a short moment of intentional breathing can ease tension and help you regain focus during overwhelming moments.  

Box breathing is one of many breathing techniques. In box breathing, you breathe in for four counts, hold it, exhale for four counts, then pause each time. The American Lung Association provides other breathing techniques that can help you cope with stress. 

Rewarding Yourself 

Reward yourself once your finals are done is essential to getting through the long hours. You must remember that whatever grade you might encounter, what matters is that you put your best foot forward and gave all your effort to succeed during this stressful month. Honor the numbers of hours it took you to get to this point.  

The most important thing is that you’re one exam closer to getting your degree. You pushed through long nights, early mornings, and moments where giving up felt easier, but you kept going. This kind of dedication deserves recognition because not everyone has a strength to stay committed under pressure. Allow yourself to feel proud of how far you come, not just the outcome you received.