If studying for finals stresses you out, take note of some tips that will ease test-taking for you and help you earn those allowance-boosting A’s:

• Keep your notebook organized. Save prior tests and class notes so you can use them to prepare a study guide well before exams.
• Study occasionally with a small group so that you’re comfortable thinking about a topic when others are present.
• Ask questions in class whenever you are unsure of anything so that you are sure you understand the test content. You’ll discover that others share your confusion.
• Start studying for a major exam at least one week ahead.
• Learn your material thoroughly. Write out typical test questions and answer them. Create outlines or timelines (depending on the subject), list and define vocabulary and concepts.
• Approach the exam with confidence and resist negative or repetitive thoughts that you might not do well. Think positively instead.
• View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you’ve studied and to receive a reward for the studying you’ve done.
• Don’t go to the exam with an empty stomach. Eat well but not excessively before the test, eat protein, and avoid sweets and carbohydrates that may make you sluggish.
• Take a snack with you to keep your mind off your anxiety.
• Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early.
• If possible, do some studying a few days in advance in the room where the exam will be (so that you associate answers with being in that room).
• Don’t try to do a last-minute review.
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.

During the test

• Read the directions carefully.
• Budget your test-taking time.
• Change positions to help you relax.
• If you go blank, skip that question and go on to the next.
• If you’re taking an essay test and you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may trigger the answer.
• Don’t panic when students start handing in their papers. There’s no reward for being the first to finish.

As you can imagine, test anxiety is a very common problem — so much so that professionals have been able to study it thoroughly and come up with solutions that really work. If finals are too close for you to use all of these strategies, just use the ones you can and clip this for future college classroom fun.