Dear readers,
Here we are: the final stretch. Finals week has a way of making everything feel urgent all at once, but it will all be okay (and over before you know it.)
This finals week, I want to encourage everyone to breathe and give yourself grace. Whether this is your first finals season or your very last hurdle before graduation, I want to remind you to give yourself grace — this semester has been long and full of so many amazing moments, and you have shown up for every single one of them.
With that being said, it’s important to go into this week feeling as prepared as possible. What that looks like is completely different for everyone, and that’s okay! This week, I reached out to academic chairs across Panhellenic and below includes their tried and true finals tips, just for you. I hope this post leaves you feeling a little more prepared and a little less alone in this.
Finding your Spot
Finding a space where you can actually focus is half the battle. Whether you’re a library girl or a coffee shop regular, having a go-to spot can make all the difference in how settled you feel going into a study session. Mackenzie Taylor, Zeta’s VP of Academic Achievement & Scholastics, loves studying at, “The Nucleus in Welch — I'll grab a coffee from Up and Atom then sit in one of the cubes for a few hours.”
Here are some of our other academic chairs’ favorites to try out:
Anna Hiss Gym courtyard
Bennu (for late night studying)
Central Market off North Lamar
The FAC (second floor)
The Honors Quad outdoor benches
Merit
Mozart's Cafe on the lake
The NRG
The Tower Library
The Union (second or third floor)
The Little Things That Matter
Sometimes it’s not the big overhaul study plan that moves the needle, it's the small habits you wouldn’t think twice about. A daily to-do list, leaving your phone in another room, grabbing a study snack to keep you fueled, listening to some encouraging music, or blocking out a few hours a week with absolutely nothing planned can all go a long way. As Alpha Epsilon Phi’s VP Membership Sophie Bogen puts it, “It's easy to feel overwhelmed studying for so many things at once — breaking it down into what you can realistically get done each day helps you stay on track and feel accomplished."
Study Tips Worth Studying
Pomodoro method — focused work intervals broken up by short breaks to keep your brain fresh
Handwrite your notes – you retain information so much better when you write things out
Explain concepts out loud — or teach the material to your friend as if you’re mentoring a student
Plan your week — map out what tangible tasks you will complete each day and bring yourself more structure
Time management — completing your studying the night before to give yourself the gift of a calm morning
Use social media blockers — removing distractions like social media during certain study hours can keep you less tempted from quitting studying
What I Wish I Knew Freshman Year
Freshmen and incoming college students… consider this your cheat sheet. Approach studying holistically, and instead of memorizing every bullet point from a slideshow, focus on bigger concepts first. Truly understanding the material goes much further than knowing every little detail. If you are not already, you NEED to take advantage of UT’s on campus resources — whether that’s tutoring at Sanger or writing coaches at Moody, the university is more than available to help you through a tough week. Don't be afraid to go to office hours or reach out to your TAs either — they are really there to help, and you might be surprised how much it makes a difference. Chi Omega’s Vice President Hannah Harp wishes she had mastered time management earlier: “Breaking up a test and making a plan of a few units to get through each day is important to limit procrastination — spacing it out builds in a balance between time to study and time to spend enjoying the company of my friends!"
Taking a Much Needed Break
Stepping away from your notes is not wasted time — it is part of the process. Delta Gamma’s Director of Scholarship Audrey McCaffity makes it a point to plan a Barton Springs trip during finals week to really decompress. Going on walks, chatting with whoever is around, and getting outside even for just a few minutes gives your brain the reset it needs to come back stronger. Addie Click, Theta’s VP of Education, keeps her walks intentional: "I don't listen to music or anything, just what's around me — even if it's just 10 minutes, going outside and moving my body is the best way to take a break from all the sitting and writing." The consensus? Step outside, be with your people and don’t feel guilty about it.
Taking Care of You
Taking care of yourself is just as important as any study session this week. As much as this pains the night owl in me, sleep is a non-negotiable, and pulling all nighters is counterproductive; your brain retains information better with a good night’s rest. Tri Delta’s Caroline Palamountain says it best: “Prioritizing the regeneration of not only your physical health, but mental health as well, is key to success in your classes." Eat well, stay active, and make time for the people who ground you — call a friend, a sister, or a parent when things feel overwhelming. And finally, don't forget to treat yourself to a nice dinner or sweet treat when you finish studying — you earned it.
As this semester wraps up, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on the girls around you —this community is one of our greatest gifts. Celebrate every exam you finish, and remember how far you’ve come. Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Academic Excellence Director Teva Goldstein says it perfectly, “block out time for the things that matter to you.” And remember, you are living what you used to dream of, and that is worth pausing to appreciate, even in the middle of exam season. It is such a privilege to be a part of this community, on this campus, and in this chapter of life. Cheers to another year — I am sending you all the very best of luck this finals season. Happy Studying!
All my love,
Madi