((((((((((((((Anna))))))))))))))))))))))
Finals suck. So does the stress involved in university. So does the uncertainty about life outside of university. So does the stress of being stressed out because of everyone else just telling you to basically "suck it up, it'll be over soon".
I think those people have good intentions, and poor wording.
How have you made it to this point in university? What study habits have you employed/learnt that help? Or coping mechanisms to deal with stress?
I know that I'm a horrible procrastinator. I also don't do well under stress, but I generally DO get things done - just not well (the little voice in my head says: "If only I had started doing this earlier...")
Okay, so you can't get anything deferred at this point.
Remember to breathe. Sky's suggestion is really good.
Pressure just makes one sick... some people can deal with it, some people cannot.
How about this: Think about it rationally and logically. How many hours do you have before your first final? Before your next one? Or the final one? Plan it out on paper right now - do a schedule, planning for a LOGICAL amount of time you can devote to studying. Don't say you'll cram for 12 hours straight (even if it's high hopes) ... unless you can do that and actually study and retain the information!
I like to do my schedule in blocks. It's something my learning strategist taught me actually...
So my schedule looks something like this (but imagine in a chart form, not a list):
Monday:
8am-9am wake up and breakfast
9-10 study (name subject)
10-10:30 - break
11 -12 (because logically a half hour break usually becomes an hour
) lunch/something fun that's not about school.
12-2 study (name subject)
2-3 break
3-5 study (name subject)
5-7 supper and break
7-9 study (name subject)
9pm+ - watch TV or do something fun
(go to bed at a decent hour)
Tuesday
8-9 breakfast
9-3pm work at (name your job)
3-5 break
5-7 supper
7+pm study (name subject)
Wednesday
8-9breakfast
9-12 - volunteer job
12-1 lunch
1-3 study
3-4 break
4-6 study
6-7 supper
7-9 study
9+ watch tv
and so on...
But it's not set in stone. Just try to aim for a reasonable amount of time to study, and try not to procrastinate. Don't beat yourself up if you dont stick to the schedule exactly... and dont plan to study for four hours straight unless you can do it! (Also change when you study to when youre most awake and will study the best... I'm not a morning person by any means myself)
((((((((((Anna))))))))))))))))
What subjects are they in? Do you understand the course material up to this point? Are you going into the final exam with a passing grade, or a barely passing, or an F? (If you're going in with an F, honestly... nothing but a miracle will pull you out unless the exam is like 60%+ of your final grade ... believe me on this one, personal experience)
I've gotten a few failing grades in my life. But your grades do NOT define you as a person. Even if people decide to give you a hard time and make you miserable asking about them... you are not your grades.
I hope you take care of yourself during this time too. As a psych major, my only advice beyond all of this is - REMEMBER TO SLEEP. Things you learn get put into your long term memory (that you use on exams!) when you sleep. otherwise, the info is stuck in "short term memory" and will go POOF! out the window.