Editorial - Organization key to successful finals

It’s that special time of the year again.

With the ironically named "dead" week winding down and a daunting week of final exams and term paper deadlines fast approaching, students should be taking all the necessary steps to ensure their final week of the semester will be a successful one.

The first and possibly most important of these steps is getting organized. The sheer volume of papers, final projects and exams that students have to manage during these final two weeks can overwhelm even the most diligent of students. Needless to say, for someone who is disorganized, the situation is even more dire. It is of vital importance to plan ahead.

Make sure you know when and where your final exams are, and write this information down in one place. For the tech savvy among you, input this information in your smart phone or computer’s calendar application so you can easily access it at all times.

Emerging from finals week unscathed is difficult enough without any nasty, last minute surprises shaking things up.

You should also take the time to gauge how long you will need to study for each subject. Budgeting your time in advance and closely following the schedule you’ve made for yourself will prevent unnecessary sleep-deprivation, which is a major problem for students during this portion of the semester. This is a problem you should do your best to avoid.

Numerous studies ­– including a recently published one from St. Lawrence University – have shown the negative impacts of inadequate sleep. These detrimental effects include delayed reaction time, an increased likelihood of careless mistakes and poor emotional health.

You do not want to be suffering from any of these symptoms while taking an exam that decides a significant portion of your final grade in a class.

Finally, you should find a quiet, isolated and convenient location to do your studying. Unfortunately, thanks to the influx of students making their biannual pilgrimage to the University’s libraries during these final two weeks, the libraries are often overcrowded and noisy. Thankfully, there are a number of good alternatives, including cafes, dorm study lounges and empty classrooms.

Following these tips will help you have a more successful and less stressful finals week.

Good luck!