Final Exams at Hofstra University

Preparing for final exams can be an extremely difficult time period for many college students. There is a great amount of stress that arises from finals due to the overwhelming load of work that arrives at the end of the semester. Some students take five classes, while others take six, resulting in a possibility of either six exams, tests or projects. The major question is, what can students to do better prepare themselves for finals, and what can they do to cope with the stress? Time management is a crucial component when preparing for final exams. Many students procrastinate by leaving the majority of their work until the end of the semester which results in the need to complete all of the last minute work within a short period of time. This is occurrence is more popularly known as cramming. Executing proper time management involves students planning ahead on their school work, and developing a studying strategy. For example, at the beginning of each week throughout the course of the semester, a student should document in their academic planner everything they need to submit and or study for that given week. In regards to finals, if students properly executed time management throughout the course of the semester then finals preparation should be far less stressful and difficult. When final exams approach, a student should develop a detailed schedule planning out their study strategies for their finals. Time management, in both contexts, can be extremely helpful and beneficial during final exams. Although many students properly manage their time throughout the semester, stress is inevitable during final exams. According to an eHow article, How to Limit Stress During Finals Week eHow claims that students should limit their caffeine intake due to the fact that caffeine can cause more stress. The article also suggests that students should eat healthy, get proper amounts of sleep and exercise. Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system, increasing the chances in becoming sick, which ultimately would result in more unnecessary stress. Exercising can also help reduce stress due to the fact that various endorphins are released while exercising which can help decrease stress symptoms. Time management, and the various methods listed above for reducing stress are healthy approaches when preparing for final exams. However, many college students veer to amphetamine based prescription drugs such as Adderal and Vyvanse when attempting to combat with finals. According to Alan DeSantis, professor and researcher at the University of Kentucky, more than 30 percent of students at the university have illegally experimented with some form of amphetamine based prescription drug. DeSantis states, ´´It´s abused more than Marijuana and easier to get´´. Although these drugs may help a student during final exams, the long-term effects of consuming these drugs are detrimental to one´s health, according to DeSantis. ´´They might produce euphoria, they might temporarily make it easier...but in the long run there are significant problems both in terms of thinking, mood problems, maybe even functionality´´. Instead of consuming prescription drugs which ultimately results in many health risks, students should focus on preparing for finals without relying on narcotics. There are numerous methods to help students prepare for final exams, and reduce stress, that are healthy and effective such as executing proper time management. Although these drugs may temporarily relieve stress, experts offer many healthier alternatives that benefit one´s health instead of deteriorating it. Students should focus on protecting their bodies during finals, and not harming it. Time management, along with the various approaches listed above for reducing stress, are healthy and effective ways methods when attempting to combat with final exams. Finals are inevitable, and so is stress. However mastering these proper final exam precautions can positively impact your finals experience.