Final exams are almost over, you’re all packed up and ready to see your dog who you’ve been without for four months. People often talk about the transition process TO college: full of uncertainty, homesickness and more. But what about the transition back home for Winter break? It is possible you have spent the last few months with the greatest amount of independence! How do you handle the readjustment back to your pre-college regulations? This article will give you a few ways to navigate that experience this upcoming break!

Communication, Communication, Communication

You can’t expect to go home and your family to have all the answers. Having a conversation with them before, or when you get home about the growth you’ve experienced during college is important. The last four months have been a change for them as well, so discussing your experiences can be helpful for both parties. Setting expectations for the break with your family, and getting some updates on their rules can begin to ease the transition home.

Express Your Independence

You have likely spent the last few months doing your own laundry, cooking your own food and sleeping whenever and wherever. It might feel easy to go home and fall into old habits, depending on your family to wash your laundry or some variation. Back up your talk about your newfound independence with action. Wash your own dishes, cook a meal for the family, etc. Showing them your independent, reinforces this part of your identity in the eyes of your family.

Make Time for your Family  

Four months is a long time to spend away from home. Spend time with your family, catch up with them or plan an activity together. Making plans with your family, leaves you with a set schedule and open days to spend with all the friends you want to hang out with.

Though this is not an exhaustive list of ways to make the transition home, it is preparing you to start thinking about the changes that have happened. It is common for students to go home for break and feel trapped because nothing has changed. It’s okay, that is a sign that you are developing and changing during your time in college. Staying productive and enjoying the holidays with your family can make winter break feel like it is flying by. Happy holidays and have a great break!

Final exam week is always a scary time. If your reaction is similar to the person in the video above, don’t worry. We have a few tips and tricks to make the next few weeks as painless as possible.

Start Early

Ask Questions: If there is material you are unsure of or just information you want to clarify, ask your professor! The weeks leading up to the final exam are the most important. You don’t want to spend the bulk of your study time, re-teaching yourself material.

Create Study Guides: Using the notes you’ve kept all semester (if you would like note-taking tips, click here), class assignments and handouts, create a study guide for each of your exams. Studying is much easier to get through when the material is organized toward your learning style.

Create a Schedule: Trying to cram all the information into your brain in one sitting, is not going to be effective. Planning a schedule for each class, and setting specific topics to cover, are just two ways to stop that overwhelming feeling before it even starts.

Plan Accordingly

Prioritize: Time management is the great skill anyone could possess. Studying exam material in order of importance, test dates, or information you would like to spend extra time on, are all ways to make your study sessions efficient.

Identify Your Study Habits: Procrastination is easy when you’re overwhelmed. It is important to know if you prefer to study using a guide, flashcards, a review sheet, or any other method. Knowing your study habits allows you to go into your study sessions with a preemptive plan, minimizing your flexibility for procrastination.

Group Study: Studying can be more fun when you do it with others. The key is regulating that fun. If you’re spending more time talking about the latest Buzzfeed article, than studying, this might not be the best way to ace your exam. Picking your studying groups accordingly and devising a study plan is the best way to go.

Visit Office Hours: Professors hold office hours because they want to serve as a resource for students. Take advantage of your professors office hours. Ask them questions, discuss course material, make sure you are as prepared as possible for your exam.

Visit the Tutoring Center: The tutoring center is located in Stabley Library 201-A, take advantage of it! They are here to help you succeed. The tutoring center will be open until finals week, so please visit their website for their hours.

Take Care of Yourself

Take Breaks: If you think spending 22 hours in a room, hypercaffeinated, and diligently studying is effective…I have some upsetting news for you. The most important thing to remember about finals week is to listen to your body. Take a break when your brain has had enough information. Go for a walk, stretch your legs and de-stress for a few minutes. You are only able to retain limited information, don’t minimize that retention by overworking your body.

Get Enough Sleep: If you’re a college student you probably haven’t had a good nights sleep since August 29th, and that is okay. Depriving your body of sleep right before an exam, limits your brain’s ability to retain information, and you didn’t stay up all night studying just so you could get to the exam and forget everything.  A full nights sleep right before an exam is the first step in getting that passing grade.

Pack Snacks: Did you really have a library study session if you didn’t pack snacks? As much as we want to stress eat potato chips, pizza, and burgers during finals week, these will make you feel sluggish and sick. Pack some protein, fruits, veggies, or other favorite snacks to keep your energy levels high!

Create a Playlist: A real study session includes a ten second dance party. Music helps you concentrate, increases your mood, amongst other benefits. Pre-set your study playlist with pump up music and study music to keep your study session going smooth.

Make It Fun: Studying can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Create new, effective ways to study, create playlists, take breaks, and make sure you’re exercising self-care through-out your study sessions.

Happy Finals Week!