In law school, it’s no secret that grades are important. While this knowledge may be motivating throughout the semester, it can become downright anxiety-inducing around finals. While it’s normal to feel nerves, stress about finals should not take over your life. To help you keep a cool head and perform your best, we’ve put together these tips on how to manage stress during final exams.
- Start Early
A key way to manage stress during final exams is to start studying early. Instead of trying to cram everything into the last weeks of the semester, study a little bit at a time throughout the semester. Creating your outlines and getting familiar with them throughout the semester is a big step in the right direction. This way, you can avoid the stress that comes from feeling like you have too much to do and too little time. - Use Practice Exams and Practice Problems
In addition to a lack of preparation, uncertainty is another common cause of finals-related stress. To feel more comfortable about what you’ll face on your finals, use practice exams and practice problems for that subject. Your professor’s past exams are the best source of practice. They will help you get familiar with the format of your exam and reveal the kinds of issues your professor likes to test. Make sure you also get model or sample answers if they are available so that you can see if you are on the right track. - Take Care of Yourself
Make sure you’re not prioritizing your studies to the detriment of your health. Yes, there’s a large volume of material you need to learn. No, that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice sleep, physical activity, or healthy meals for another hour of studying. In fact, you will find that you feel more focused and have the energy to do everything you need to do if you make your physical and mental health a priority. So, get some sleep, make time for exercise (even if it is just a walk around the block), take breaks, and make time for healthy eating. - Get Some Perspective
As the end of the semester approaches, you may start to feel like the only thing you talk about with other law students are finals. This echo chamber can add to your stress. To alleviate it, seek out perspective from a friend or loved one who is not currently in law school. In addition to a welcome mental break from thinking about finals, they can help you realize that your grades are not everything. - Remember, Help is Available if You Need It!
Most law students report feeling some level of stress during final exams. However, if you feel like your stress levels are unmanageable or are impacting your mental health, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. If you’re not sure where to start, your law school or university should have some resources available.
