Have you noticed all the people lying on the grass, basking in the sunshine and enjoying the fresh air on campus lately? It definitely feels like summer is coming! However, along with the sunny weather comes finals week. Read on for some tips to help you stay focused on your final assignments, projects and exams before we can all properly enjoy summer break!
Make a Plan
Overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of things you need to get done before the semester ends? You should sit down and make a plan to keep yourself organized and focused on the most important tasks at hand. First, check your and class syllabuses and write down any assignments that you still need to complete before classes end; this will give you a clear plan for the short term. Then, visit and mark down your final exam schedule on your calendar. Don’t forget to make time to study for your exams while you do your best to finish your last few assignments of the semester!
Create a Quiet Study Environment
If you find it difficult to stay focused in a crowded space, in the Bird Library are available for Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF affiliated students to have a personal spot to study. Students can ask about availability, make a reservation and obtain study room keys at the Check Out desk located on the first floor. If you’re working on a group project or studying with a few friends, and with whiteboard and large screen monitors are also available!
Attend a Tutoring Session
Not feeling confident about a final exam? Do you study better with someone to help guide you? Maybe you just need to properly dedicate time to a specific subject? It might be helpful to get some tutoring from the ! This semester, CLASS provides group tutoring sessions for 25+ courses, and sessions are held on the Lower Level of Bird Library. Students can learn more and sign up for sessions on the .
If a final paper is giving you some trouble, the offers face-to-face or online appointments for students from various academic and cultural backgrounds to provide assistance for their writing projects. Make an appointment early to save time and minimize stress about your final essay!
Try Out Headspace Meditations
Meditation is a great way to help you maintain or regain your focus. is a meditation and mindfulness tool available through a mobile app and online. Headspace’s Focus content helps improve focus and minimize distractions through concentration-boosting music, breathing exercises, meditations and more. Free Headspace premium memberships are available to Syracuse University students on a first-come, first-served basis. You can learn more and claim your membership by visiting the .
Stay focused first, and then you can embrace your summer break! If you are feeling anxious or stressed, please visit the or call 315.443.8000 for resources.
Written By Wanshi Zhang ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications