Computer Science Student’s Guide to Getting Through Finals Season

Every semester, it feels like finals sneak up on me even when I believe I’ve been keeping up. One minute I’m chilling after midterms, and the next I have at least three exams, two projects, and constant Canvas notifications that start to feel personal at this point. But over time, I’ve figured out a way to get through finals without completely falling apart. It’s not perfect, and I definitely still procrastinate more than I should, but these are the things that help me succeed each semester, and maybe you could implement them, too.

The first thing I’ve learned is that I can’t “study whenever.” Yes, it sounds good in theory, but for me it turns into scrolling on my phone until midnight and then suddenly panicking. So now, I ensure that I have a simple plan for finals season – nothing fancy, just a list of what I must do and when I’m going to do it. I go class by class and write down each exam or assignment, and then I break them into smaller steps. Instead of saying “study for ___,” I say, “review chapters 7-10,” “make flashcards,” or “go over some practice questions.” Breaking it down like that instantly makes everything feel less overwhelming.

When I sit down to study, I need techniques that keep me engaged, instead of ones that just make me feel productive because that feeling tends to disappear quickly. I used to reread notes for hours on end, and it honestly never stuck. Now I use more active strategies. For example, I quiz myself using flashcards or practice questions, as this forces my brain to actually work instead of just recognizing words on a page. Additionally, I’ve also started to space my studying out. Instead of cramming one topic for three hours straight, I come back to it multiple times over a few days. It sounds simple, but it has made such a difference as I am better able to remember things during an exam instead of blanking.

Another change I made was being honest with myself about certain distractions. I’m not someone who can study for five hours straight. At times, one hour feels like a stretch. So, I set small, focused blocks of time – 25 to 45 minutes – and then take short breaks. During those blocks, I keep my phone out of reach and put it on do not disturb because I know myself: if it’s near me, I will check it.

Now, don’t get me wrong, finals season isn’t just about studying. It’s also about stress, and I’ve had to learn how to manage that, too. When I ignore my stress, it builds up until I feel like I want to cry over the smallest things. Due to this, I now check in with myself. If I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back, breathe, and remind myself that I don’t have to do everything at once. Sometimes I go for a short walk or call a friend just to get out of my head. Finals are intense, but they shouldn’t take over my whole life.

One thing that I had to get more serious about was sleep. Or at least try to. I used to pull all-nighters and convince myself that I was being productive. But every time I did that, I ended up exhausted, emotional, and barely remembering anything I studied. Now I try to get real sleep, especially two nights before an exam as the brain works better when rested. The same goes for eating meals, not just snacks – and staying hydrated. You’d be surprised how much better studying feels when your body isn’t running on fumes.

Additionally, I made it a point to use the campus resources because they exist for a reason. The library study rooms are lifesavers when I need to get away from distractions. Also, I utilize the tutoring sessions to explain concepts that I’ve been staring at for hours. Even visiting professors’ during office hours helps more than I used to admit. They really do want the best for us and want us to understand the material, especially before finals.

At the end of the day, I try to remind myself that finals don’t define my worth. They’re important, yes, but they’re also temporary. I’ve gotten through every finals season so far, even the ones that felt impossible. All I can do is take it step by step, do my best, and not let the pressure consume me.

So, as we take our finals, just know you’re not alone. As the song in High School Musical says, “we’re all in this together.” It is cheesy, I know, but it’s true. We're all trying to figure it out, one deep breath and one small win at a time. Even if it feels like a lot, we’ve made it this far – which means we can make it through this, too. Good luck!

See you next year 😊.