It's the time of year we’ve all either been dreading or looking forward to: Finals. And I don’t know about all of you, but just the word test or exam can occasionally freak me out. So I'm giving a bit of advice that has worked for me in the past.

1. Do not try to cram or write a paper at the last minute. Cramming is never a good way to go and often can lead you to be more forgetful than anything. Writing a paper last minute may mean more errors and less of a chance to get it proofread, which can lead to lower marks.
2. As we get closer, double-check how much your final is worth, what it will consist of and what day and time it will be. You don’t want to be late, let alone panic over something that you may be able to exempt. Also, knowing what’s on it along with the format can help you decide how to study.
3. Study but don’t over study. It’s one thing to be prepared, but over studying with no break doesn’t help either. You don’t want to be so tired from studying that you oversleep or worse, don’t retain anything you thought you studied.
4. Don’t stop doing things you would normally do: like working out, reading a book you love, taking walks or even playing video games. Just make sure it’s reasonable and balanced; don't study for 20 minutes so you can go play COD for 2 hours or study for hours only to take a 10-minute break.
5. Make sure that you eat well, especially before you take your exams. 
6. Stay Hydrated. Dehydration is never good at all, for any reason. Keep your water bottles filled and on hand.
7.  While taking the exam, take your time and don’t worry about others. Everyone is good at things at their own pace.
8. While taking the exam, do what you can at first and then go back to the questions you skipped. If you don’t understand anything then ask your professor what they mean by the question.
9. Utilize the resources on campus, such as the Library, the Writing Center, the Math Center, and tutoring.
10. And above all else: If you really need to talk to someone, please visit the Counseling Center, your advisor, or the people in Student Success. If you have a disability (either mental or physical) visit the disabilities office prior to finals to get the help that is needed.

And on that note, I say good luck on finals, and may the odds be in your favor!