Finals season is here, and so is the stress that comes with studying for them! But don’t worry, there’s no need to freak out over finals. In fact, here are some ways to get rid of your stress and go into your exams with confidence!

1. Make a list of all the exams and things you need to do before the end of finals week. This is will help you visualize what needs to be done, and when you have completed a task or test, you can cross it off! Watch your stress fade away as that list grows shorter and shorter!
2. Make appointments to get tutoring for subjects with which you are struggling.  Learning Ascent has tutors for every subject and is open after school and Saturdays. If you know there is a subject you are going to have a hard time getting through, then don’t try to navigate it on your own! Seek help with an expert in that field and unload that stress and tag team that subject to do your best!
3. Create a good studying playlist. Listening to music can help increase your focus. Try to choose music that is mainly instrumental, so the lyrics don’t take away from the studying. (I’ve been listening to this playlist while writing this blog post and am loving it)
4. Take breaks! A good formula is study 20 minutes, break 5 minutes. During those 5 minutes, get up and go somewhere other than where you are studying. Grab a snack or water, stretch, walk around the block, play with your pet, do some jumping jacks. Whatever helps take your mind off studying for a few minutes–do it.
5. Listen to a guided meditation to refocus. Meditation may sound new age-y and weird, but it really does work.  It helps to channel any sort of jitters into focused breathing and visualization. Let this exam be your chance to flex your mental muscle. Here is a great meditation specifically for taking away exam stress (and it’s only 10 minutes!).

And as always, try to relax! (Easier said than done, I know) Good Luck!

Since 2002, the professional tutors at Learning Ascent in St Charles, IL have provided tutoring and ACT prep, helping thousands of students from Batavia, IL; Geneva, IL; South Elgin, IL; and other Fox Valley towns to improve their academic performance.