Finals-Week-Unlocked-Tips-for-Student-Success.php

Finals Week Unlocked: Tips for Student Success

• Students
• 12/02/2025

“You’ve worked hard all semester, and you’ll finish strong!” said Amanda Zika, Manager, First Year Experience.

 

Finals week is coming in fast, and if your brain already feels like a browser with 27 tabs open, you’re not alone. With projects, exams, work, and everything else life throws at you, studying for finals can feel overwhelming. Here’s the good news: RVC has the tips, resources, and real student advice you need to stay grounded, get organized, and finish the semester strong.

RVC student Annabella Leston has also developed her own personalized approach and highlights the importance of balance between mixing productivity and fun.

“I love to study with my friends at coffee shops while quizzing each other, this way we are preparing for our final exams while still having fun. If I find myself having a hard time balancing my extracurricular activities and work, I make a to-do list,” she said.

Use the guide below as a refresher whenever you need extra support heading into finals week.                                                                                                

• Make a Plan

The best way to set yourself up for success is by mapping out a plan you can stick to. Start by jotting down your exam times, paper due dates, and project deadlines to make it easy to build a study schedule that helps turn a crazy week into manageable chunks. Make a to-do list and prioritize the most important tasks first.

• Find Your Ideal Study Environment

A good study space can significantly boost productivity. RVC recommends seeking out quiet, clean areas that minimize distractions—such as the Estelle M. Black Library in the Educational Resource Center (ERC).

• Avoid Digital Distractions

Turning off your phone—or switching it to Do Not Disturb—can make study sessions more effective. This tip is crucial for maintaining concentration, absorbing the material, and keeping your study momentum strong. Reducing social media use helps to avoid the habitual, doom-scrolling that causes distraction, breaks focus, and wastes time.

• Actively Study

Be intentional with your studying. Different classes may require different approaches, so use strategies like practice tests, flashcards, study guides, study groups, and review notes from class. Finding what works best might take experimenting with various study methods.

• Take Breaks

Taking breaks are essential for effective learning and retaining information. One popular method, the Pomodoro Technique, recommends studying for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break. After four more rounds, take a longer break––15 to 30 minutes to refocus and prevent burnout. Studying or working non-stop might seem like a good idea, but it can cause brain overload, amongst other things.

• Use Your Campus Resources

RVC offers several free support services to help students feel confident before finals. Be sure to check out the Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Math Lab, and professor office hours for extra help understanding material or improving work.

• Take Care of Yourself

Maintaining healthy routines––such as eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep, exercising, and prioritizing mental health––can significantly improve focus and study effectiveness. Students seeking extra support or someone to talk to can connect with RVC Personal and Success Counseling.

• Stay Positive

The last tip for making finals week more manageable is to stay positive, believe in yourself, and remember that you’re capable. Annabella reminds students, “Preparing for finals can be tricky, but it can also be a fun challenge! Once you find your groove, you will be set!”

When things feel overwhelming, it’s important to reset. RVC Student Muskan Rizvi shares her go-to strategy to manage the stress. “I do something totally unrelated to studying. Sometimes I’ll make tea, clean my desk, or listen to music just to get out of my own head,” she said. “Then I come back and make a quick list of what actually needs to get done so everything feels less messy in my mind––and if I’m studying math, I usually put on ASMR or low tempo music because it gives me just enough distraction to stay focused without zoning out.”

No matter your study style, remember this: you’ve made it this far, and you have everything you need to finish the semester strong.