Life Advice: First Finals Season

Congratulations! You have finally made it to the end of the term, and there’s only that final week to go. Finals can be scary (even for preps with pass/fail), but I’m here to put you at ease. As someone who has completed two full years of Exeter exams, I’ve obtained a few life hacks along the way. Although 75 minutes are scheduled for each final, most teachers that I’ve had in the past do not want to use the full block. Therefore, in addition to the 15 minute passing time, you should have a moment to grab a snack from Grill or to just talk with friends. You could easily choose to cram for the next test instead, but you probably won’t learn much in that short period of time. Cramming right before a test will also stress you out, which would most likely lead to more negative than positive outcomes.On top of that, staying up all night is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. By 2 a.m., your brain will be too tired to focus well or to retain information. Even if you’re finishing up an essay, the quality of your writing will drop significantly. Most of the teachers here will be able to tell that you finished it in one night! With about a week left until finals, I urge you to start on that paper now or over the weekend to save yourself from an unnecessary grind when you are even more stressed next week.If you find yourself in either of these two conundrums, however, that doesn’t mean that you are necessarily doomed for your finals. Sure, you won’t be at your best, but you shouldn’t be too worried about your tests. Again, most of the teachers I’ve had are understanding of the average Exonian’s lifestyle and are not trying to stress you out. If you foresee any problems with the timing or format of your exams, now is the time to speak up. The more notice you give to a teacher, the more they can help you succeed. This goes for all issues in class, so remember to use the resources that Exeter makes so readily accessible.As the last days of the term approach, remember to take care of other things as well. I’ve personally found that cleaning your room before break makes the beginning of winter term much better. In general, it’s better to take care of everything as soon as possible, which includes preparing for winter in New England.This may be the first real winter for some of you, so don’t take it lightly! You won’t need the puffiest Canada Goose, but a thin down jacket won’t be enough. From the wind chill on Wednesday going to as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit, we can count on a cold winter. Some dorms may have these discussions while others might not, so I encourage everyone to search for appropriate gear. Again, brand and cost don’t matter as long as you get whatever suits your needs. On a happier note, get excited for the fun of winter! Seasonal Affective Disorder can hit some quite hard, but there are many fun events in the winter. January will start with Winter Formal, which is one of my favorite dances here. Most people will stick around only for the photos, but the live music is always fun and the snacks are great. There is no need to feel pressured to find a date either. You can easily profess your love to someone in a public setting, but most people here choose to go with friends and keep the dance more of a lowkey experience. Abbot Casino and International Tea are similarly formal, so I would suggest that you find dresses, ties or whatever you want to wear to a formal event.I know I’ve thrown a lot at you, but this all goes to show that finals are one small part of the Exeter experience. As a four year, you’ll have a total of over three dozen final exams, so this one is just one of many. You have so much to look forward to, so don’t stress about your final grade! There are so many ways to get involved in other things on campus, so stay hopeful.