Final Jitters

[Kirsten Yu 2K]

Personally, I spend the week prior to the final studying fairly heavily until the night before the exam. By that point, there are two possible scenarios. Either I have the material down, and there's no need to study further, or I don't, and there's no point in trying to cram the night before. I usually spend the night before a final doing a short review session, then watching a movie or show that gets my mind off of the impending test.

[Ameerah Hameed 3B]

I noticed that partaking in physical activities after study sessions aids in reducing my stress before an upcoming exam. I personally find running to be the best method because it encourages me to be so focused on my present activities that the stress of test-taking/upcoming exams is almost nonexistent. Additionally, I find it best to run outdoors because considering we spend so much time indoors constantly doing school work, we can eventually begin feeling trapped. The feeling of that entrapment and claustrophobia is not only extremely draining but it also leads to exhaustion and a loss of motivation to study.

[daniellediem1k]

My favorite is to break up the studying into little bits day by day and make sure i’m doing something that makes me happy every day!

[Tony Chen 1F]

I would recommend spacing out study times and reduce procrastination to a minimum. Then on the day or even the day before the exam, do not touch the materials again. Do someone that you enjoy instead!

[AndreyCastellanos 3H]

Usually I open a pack of gum and chew it in a rhythmic pattern and take some deep breaths in the meantime

[Jonathan Shyu 3L]

I am no psychology major or stress relief specialist by any means, but I find that like lots of people, having a routine and a plan helps a lot. You can only control what is in your power, and anything outside your control you shouldn't stress about. This means you should focus on things pertaining to the final that you can do such as sleep, study, eat, etc. I like to study with friends, go through the material that I have available, eat well, and sleep well. Other than that there isn't much else you can do, so be confident and ace that final!

[205769933]

I would recommend spacing out study times and reduce procrastination to a minimum. Then on the day or even the day before the exam, do not touch the materials again. Do someone that you enjoy instead!

Yeah this is so true! I used to get so anxious before tests due to cramming and I think that always made me perform worse grade wise. But after getting control of that by not thinking about it after I finished studying I not only felt better about myself during and after the test but also saw better results!

[Theo Teske 3B]

I would recommend spacing out study times and reduce procrastination to a minimum. Then on the day or even the day before the exam, do not touch the materials again. Do someone that you enjoy instead!

I might have to try this; I always study right up until the exam. I don't really have too much test anxiety I don't think, but maybe my mind will be more clear during the actual exam if it's not frazzled from studying.

[Emily2J]

this is such an amazing thread thank you for sharing your worries and prompting this conversation

[Carla Bruebach 1C]

It always helps me to be over prepared for exams such as finals. I like to go through each equation introduced and make sure I know what each term means and how to calculate/plug in numbers in the equations.

[Sara Dolmo 2J]

I usually give myself a break to control to take a walk outside, take a nap, or do something I really enjoy when I feel any form of anxiety. It helps me calm myself down and changes my mindset when I start to study again.

[Nayeli Valtierra 2F]

I also get anxiety before taking tests. I usually try to take deep breaths and relax, and continuously remind my self that no matter what happens life will go on. Not doing great on a test does not mean it will be the end of your life, life goes on and a test score does not determine your future.

[Mekenna Faulkner]

I tend to suffer from test anxiety, especially for classes that I do not feel confident in the material, aka probably this class. I feel that I will have a hard time with testing but I will probably implement some techniques to better well being that I’ve learned this far and will learn in psyctry 79. So far we have done weekly experiments with exercise and writing letters of gratitude. It has been known that physical exercise can improve sleep and reduce stress, but I have found that letters of gratitude are quite helpful in improving mood and sleep while reducing stress. I’m not sure exactly why it helps but I have found it to be quite helpful.

[Ana Luiza S]

My personal strategy is to study every day before the exam, but never on the day of the exam itself. I never really learn when I'm a rush, and I always end up running into questions that make me confused, even if they're never actually useful for the exam itself. It just makes me start questioning myself.

[Maddy Trotter 3D]

I always make sure to get enough sleep and make a good breakfast in the morning! It's tempting to study until the last second, but you will end up running yourself ragged and the information won't stick in your head as well.

[Jacob Kirkosian 3C]

Have you tried meditating? Trying to think about absolutely nothing helps put all of life’s problems in perspective. Take 10 minutes everyday you study to contemplate everything you’ve learned and what subjects you may be lacking in.

[Alyssa H]

As this Friday's midterm comes up, I'm definitely dealing with the jitters :'). Something that makes me feel a lot more confident about taking tests is studying in set periods (for example, 30 minutes) and taking breaks to clear my mind and not get overly anxious. I feel the more I get stressed, the harder it is to absorb information. Also definitely eating well and prioritizing sleep will help so much!

[Brandon Yu]

I like to plan everything through of what I am going to do and then I do a practice run either in real life or in my head so that when test day actually comes, you have sorta lived through it already.

[Brianna Mercado 3D]

Rereading the suggestions and positive affirmations under this post really helped me with my nervousness for our midterm on Friday thank you !

[Arpita Padhy 3E]

All of these suggestions are helping me calm down before Friday's midterm, so thank you guys!!

[Palig Kechichian 3F]

When it comes to studying, I would recommend doing it earlier in the day. Sometimes I want to put off studying for chem and instead do all my easier assignments first, but that makes things worse because by the time I sit down to study for this exam, I'll already be mentally exhausted.
So definitely just decide to prioritize getting some chem practice first before doing easier tasks.
And also self care and a cup of tea always calms me down:)

[105778693]

I like going over practice questions the night before and then treating myself to some good food. During the morning of, I usually try not to think about the test itself and distract myself with music. When it actually starts, I usually take some deep breaths to stop my hands from shaking. Good luck!

[Isabella Yee 1F]

Good luck everyone! Try to relax before the midterm. Listen to music, eat a snack, meditate, take a nap, talk to friends, etc. Do whatever you need to do to relax. You got this!!!

[N Kanuri 2E]

I like to take deep breaths and remind myself that I've studied for the exam. What happens, happens - a test grade doesn't define you. It's also really helpful for me to remind myself that reading a notecard and trying to cram five minutes before the exam starts won't actually help me, either.

[405509920]

I definitely had some intense anxiety for our most recent midterm. I don't think the questions themselves were all too difficult (in fact I'd argue the practice problems were a lot more challenging) but the time crunch really got to me. I have what some call "math anxiety" and being put on the spot to do calculations in a sort period of time really stresses me out. Usually I would calm myself down by simply taking a deep breathe and centering myself but for the midterm I felt so pressed for time I didn't even want to waste the few seconds it would take to do this. In my opinion, I think for timed tests like this the best way to stay clam is to be confident and prepared. I definitely put in a lot of hours studying to prepare for this midterm. I was confident on most of the content questions but the calculations (which I was so used to taking my time on while practicing) tripped me up a bit. So next time I think I'll do double the amount of problems I did before and time myself and make sure I become comfortable enough to run through the calculations without second guessing myself.

[Mahli Martinez 2I]

There's a lot of things you can do! For starters, trying to read the entirety of your notes 5 minutes before does not help. At that point, you know what you know and it'll be okay. Set up a study routine that works for you! Not everyone can study for 8 hours in a single sitting and that's okay! Also, don't worry about what others say about how long or hard they have studied. It is so easy to compare yourself, which causes doubt, but everyone is different! What works for them may not work for you.

[Sara Dolmo 2J]

make sure to take a walk or do something you like to do! Make sure you are not just studying but you are taking care of your mental and emotional health!

[Alan Nguyen 2I]

I love to take a walk before my midterm/final! The fresh air is really cooling and takes a lot of the stress away from my body.

Find out what works for you! My love for walking is how I decompress, but take a short moment before your test to reflect and do something as a release can work wonders!

[Parinita Jithendra 2A]

I would recommend spacing out study times and reduce procrastination to a minimum. Then on the day or even the day before the exam, do not touch the materials again. Do someone that you enjoy instead!

I definitely should try this out for the next midterm. I felt like I was just trying to cram everything last minute and I didn't feel as prepared as I could have been for the test.

[805752034]

For midterms and finals, anxiety before always get to me and I assume everyone else. However, after every test, I always tell myself how I shouldn't have stressed. Although you should be constantly thinking about it and reviewing, don't get too anxious because you should be good. As long as you payed attention in class and did your best to get extra work in, you will be fine.

[Ameerah Hameed 3B]

I honestly thought I had an effective method to calm myself down for exams, but this past midterm my nerves were at an all time high and I truly feel as though it negatively affected me. I will try to use these methods here for midterm two and hope they help :)

[Kirsten Yu 2K]

Aside from thorough studying, I think it's really essential to get a good night of sleep. I find myself in a much better headspace right before a test when I've gotten a full 8 hours of rest (especially as someone who doesn't sleep much on a regular basis).

[Violet Mbela 2B]

I think it's helpful to acknowledge your progress and allow yourself some type of positive reinforcement for what you've done correctly/well. Always harping on the negative can be seriously detrimental to your progress!

[Brenda Tran 3C]

I like to listen to Eye of the Tiger to get myself pump and take a lot of deep breaths!

[Vashe Sundar 3H]

When preparing for a test, I like to space out my studying over a couple of days before the test. I make study guides and lists of topics that I think I need to work on more. Then, when it comes time to take the test, I feel confident and prepared.

I also highly recommend making a playlist of songs that make you feel confident and empowered, and listening to that playlist before taking the test.

[Emma Goellner 2I]

I agree with most people that studying on the day of the exam is not a great idea. It is best to prepare yourself before. Wake up early, get ready, eat breakfast, etc. Make sure you have everything you need for the final (materials, papers, etc). It helps me a lot to talk to a friend beforehand. You can also try deep breathing.

[Sofi Ghasemzadeh 2G]

Don't stress too much as long as you prepare well. Walking in give yourself reassurance and know that you have prepared the best you could, and there is nothing more to do.

[Theo Teske 3B]

I think it's also good to make sure you don't study too much; going over the same things over and over will only stress you out and make you less able to perform at your best on the test.

[Emma Goellner 2I]

It helps me a lot to feel prepared and organized before any test, and especially for the final. Also, studying with a group of other people can be less stressful, more fun, and more effective. Take deep breaths, remind yourself to be present, and be kind to yourself.

[305692127]

Testing can be a challenging time for many people especially us freshman, because it are getting used to a new environment and how different professors are testing. I believe going to as many Step-ups and reviewing with friends can be helpful. But also don't over whelm yourself you also deserve a break every once in a while. Burn out is real and I believe there should be a balance with school work and personal life.

[sophiavmr]

On the walk to the test try to talk about something else or listen to calming music. Make sure to eat something healthy and not too heavy before the test (I like fruit and yogurt) and also breathing exercises help.

[Emily Wu 2G]

I would recommend studying a lot until you think you are ready, and then accept the truth and not look at the material anymore

[Claudia Longo 2J]

Does anyone know how to calm down your anxieties before you take this final? Since having test anxiety can be very distracting while you're trying to study or even while you're taking the test itself. Open to any tips:)

If I were in your shoes what I would do is set up a study schedule if you haven't already. After establishing how long you're going to study for and how often, I would recommend making a list of topics you're comfortable with, subjects you aren't comfortable with, and topics you're not exactly sure about. Then review the subjects you're not sure about. I think you'll find that there are more subjects that you're comfortable with than you imagined. This helped me quite a bit for midterm 1.

[Claudia Longo 2J]

Does anyone know how to calm down your anxieties before you take this final? Since having test anxiety can be very distracting while you're trying to study or even while you're taking the test itself. Open to any tips:)

I know this might sound very strange but try to think of it as making a memory. One day in the future you might be able to look back on this moment and say "my first final at UCLA was in Chem 14A," or "one of my first finals at UCLA was in Chem 14A!" If you make your brain think that you are making a memory and therefore it should be excited, it will detract from the nerves that come with finals.
Also keep in mind that this is very similar to high school finals and you've been preparing and practicing for moments like these over the course of years.

[105532700]

I'm really nervous y'all, I’ve not been a good student this quater

[Polo Morales 3C]

Remember all of the times where you've had more difficult tasks than this and you've excelled. Trust yourself, you have accomplished more difficult things. Take some time to relax beforehand and treat it as what it is. In the end, it is just a test. Hope this helps!

[Madysen Ratsek 3L]

Anyone else feel really confident about the material up until right before the test when you get a ton of anxiety, and then you end up doing worse than you could've?

[asfakhan_2H]

Honestly this class is a class that you have to practice and really know the material. As long as you go over and use the resources you should be fine. Try doing things that calm you down and definitely do not cram.

[Kayla Ziebell 1H]

I get super nervous before my tests and sometimes what I do is take a little break and get my heart rate up by doing some jumping jacks or something where im moving my body. I find this helps reset me and takes away some anxiety.

[Arad_Badiee_2B]

Sports help me take a break and release anxiety if I need to.

[Alyssa H]

I've honestly had a difficult quarter and have not been doing as well as I know I can in my classes. This final feels like a HUGE deal, as it's my last opportunity to improve my grade in the class, and it's making me so stressed out. Any tips on how to take some of this pressure off myself and study effectively this next week?

[Allison Mercado-3F]

I'm thinking about the final today and I'm freaking out because I feel like I haven't studied enough over this short break.

[Myra Goraya Dis 2E]

What works for me when I am overwhelmed is to plan out what I need to study for each day and split it up equally, this prevents u from being overworked and also lets u prepare for the exam efficiently

[Selene_Lam_1G]

I try my best to have a fulfilling breakfast beforehand to put me at my best state!

[Tony Chen 1F]

Don't forget to get a good night's sleep!

[Tony Chen 1F]

Don't forget to get a good night's sleep!

[Kayla Ziebell 1H]

I am so nervous for this final. Something I find really helpful when im nervous is taking a walk outside or just getting fresh air outside in general.

[Rachel Bartley 2B]

I get really bad anxiety as well and am super stressed for the upcoming final, but one thing I've been doing so far to help keep me calm is listening to music that makes me feel really happy and upbeat, even if it's only one or two songs at a time. Sometimes just listening, dancing, and singing along to your favorite "feel good" songs is the best way to get out some energy and jitters. Also! For the midterms, I walked to each one listening to super upbeat songs and will definitely be doing this for the final because it helps with taking my mind off of everything just before I take it.

[305572238]

Practice problems, practice problems, practice problems! Then get out some nervous energy before the exam with light exercise :) It makes me feel better.

[Minh Nguyen 3H]

I'm honestly extremely nervous about this final, as it's the only final that I'm really concerned with. I'm hoping on just spamming practice problems, and getting in my regular gym sessions to get rid of any of my final nerves.

[Sean Basu 2B]

Spend the morning of the test doing something you enjoy to calm down and take your mind off the test. I always find listening to music and drawing to help me personally.

[Rishab_Haldar_3B]

I feel like going through a pre-final routine (organizing your space, taking deep breaths, etc.) and simply being confident with your material by doing many practice problems is the best way to calm your final jitters!

[Michelle Gong]

I like to exercise to calm the jitter! Going for a walk the morning of a big test / waking up early enough so that you're not rushed before always helps :)

Good luck, you'll do great!

[Matthew Nguyen 3G]

Eat good and get a good night sleep, be confident in yourself and your studying. Also, you can review and look over the notes on the exam day but don't cram because you're telling yourself you don't know the material.

[Eduarda Diniz 2B]

listening to music really helps me

[Morgan Micallef 1A]

I usually try to finish my studying early the night before and don't do anymore the morning of the test, it only stresses me out more at that point. Eating a good breakfast the morning of the exam is super important!

[Morgan Micallef 1A]

I'm also really nervous about this final, I feel super unprepared because I haven't taken chemistry since sophomore year of high school

[Esther Kim]

a freak ton of practice problems to reassure myself that I will do well on the test

[Esther Kim]

Hella practice problems or... just taking a warm [censored] shower or taking a walk?

[Sean Sanders 1E]

Doing lots of practice problems and asking clarifying questions on this forum helps me a lot!

[Emily Hou 1H]

I also get bad test anxiety. What helps me is doing enough practice problems and reviewing all the material so I'll feel more prepared knowing that I'm familiar with the concepts being tested. Overall, having a secure mentality is important, cheer yourself on and know that whatever score you receive isn't going to hurt you at all in the long run. good luck! :)

[Arpita Padhy 3E]

I'm also really nervous about this final, I feel super unprepared because I haven't taken chemistry since sophomore year of high school

I'm literally in the same boat, and I think it's important to just keep a positive mindset and realize that you know more than you think you do.

[Carlie_Dorostkar_1A]

For me when I'm studying and get a problem down or how to do a certain topic, I have mental checklist of what concepts I understand. If you reassure yourself before the test that you have done these problems before and knew how to do them yesterday, the test won't seem like a huge feat. Of course, having this confidence also takes studying and going through the material, but a lot of jitters are from psyching yourself out even when you have studied. You probably know more than you think you do.

[Carlie_Dorostkar_1A]

I had a teacher in HS that had the whole class smile as widely as they could before taking tests because the act of smiling and using the muscles for smiling induces endorphins and calms you. If you do try this it's a good thing some of us are taking this online or in person with masks, so that classmates aren't creeped out by the crazy person smiling before the final exam.

[Allison Mercado-3F]

I'm about 15 hours away from my final and as a freshman who had basically no chemistry experience in high school, I'm really nervous. I did not do well on the first midterm but made a big improvement for the second one. My grade is dependent on this final and I'm scared if I don't get a good grade no med school is going to want me in the future. I've been studying all week and at this point I need to let it go and do my best in the morning. Good luck everyone !

[Giselle Simmons 2D]

If you are nervous, remember how much you have accomplished to get to where you are today- a STEM student at UCLA. :) Based on that, you studied plenty. Now, you just need to believe in your abilities and try your best. Even if it doesn't go as well as you hope, it is NOT the end of the world I promise. <3 You got this!

[Giselle Simmons 2D]

I like to exercise to calm the jitter! Going for a walk the morning of a big test / waking up early enough so that you're not rushed before always helps :)

Good luck, you'll do great!

I would also agree that exercising does wonders to ease anxiety. :) Harvard states, "The mental benefits of aerobic exercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol."

[Lyndon Cope 2D]

Definitely going to sleep early the night before helped. And waking up with plenty of time before hand to make sure your awake properly.

[605537776]

Yall we did it! Oddly, I still have some jitters?

[005502505]

It helps me to have a lot of review sessions w my peers leading up to the final-- that way we can all practice together & help each other out with any questions we might have! Between the few of us, we're usually able to comprehend the whole of the material that's going to be on the final and fill in the gaps for each other.

[Mrinalini Mishra 2L]

I think one of the easiest ways to help exam jitters is by spacing out your studying. Cramming doesn't help at all and often makes me more panicked.

[Jacquelyn Rivera 2I]

Hi!! So even with test anxiety I struggle with just ordinary anxiety too so I totally understand where your feelings come from! Normally I like to do work in increments, especially when I'm studying for an exam. I often find that when I try and hyper focus for an extended period of time, it drains me more and my retention and energy is much much worse. When you take breaks, as corny as it sounds, try to enjoy your relaxing time and do something you enjoy to do. I like long boarding in my free time because it allows me to go outside and enjoy fresh air, and its something fun I can do all by myself.

[dericasu3a]

Everyone else has had some super great suggestions, but I would also like to add that doing something that distracts me from studying can help. Althought it sounds counterintuitive, I find that if I'm cramming for a long time I tend to get in my own head too much and it's just not productive. I like to do some art or stitching which gives me something tactile to do and gives my brain a break.

[Sara Dolmo 2J]

practice problems!!

[Olivia Peony Dis 2A]

Just listen to music!

[JohnathanH_1H]

To help with my test anxiety I try to routine my study time. I take my time and alot for small breaks and even times for a larger meal break. By setting aside some time to have a little leisure during my studying helps me remember more and stay focused and kind of avoid feeling anxious about the upcoming exam because I am focused on the task at hand.

[WS405590915]

I try to just psych myself out to make myself feel confident in my abilities to perform.

[Tony Chen 1F]

Also get a good night's sleep before the test!

[Karen Harrison 1L]

Since this years final is online, I would recommend playing soothing background music to calm your nerve and help you relax during the exam. Remember to remind yourself often that test scores do not define you as a person. It’s important to try your hardest, but don’t let a bad grade tear you apart!

[Parinita Jithendra 2A]

I would say just do a last min review but do not spend all night studying because it is much more important to get that full night's rest

[505771920]

I find it helpful to wake up with enough time to maybe just do a quick look through my notes for a little refresher but to keep cramming right before the test to a min just because that can lead to just more anxiety over little things

[Esther Kim]

deep breaths and maybe telling yourself some calming mantras throughout the final

[Chris Korban 1D]

Definitely just take deep breaths and chill knowing you did your best

[Ally M]

Even though the final is over now, treat your self to something nice, whether it be food, some rest, or your favorite movie :) Just know that this one-grade wont make or break your future!

[Deivy Gonzalez 3H]

Knowing I've done the most in order to prepare for finals helps me relax during the test. It gives me peace of mind after the test as well.

[Alison Shamoony 1G]

I have testing anxiety and I was wondering what are the best sources to study for the exams if I struggle with word problems and what the best way to break word problems down is so that it is easier to understand?

[parisnortega1]

testing anxiety is very real and very normal. it occurs when you cannot predict the outcome of your test. some things to do to alleviate the stress is: be prepared for the material and whatever is thrown at you, get plenty of sleep, do not overwork yourself, attending discussions sessions and office hours, and learn relaxation techniques.

[Danielle Paisley 1H]

Doing my best to prepare for the exam helps me to experience less anxiety. Rather than cramming for a final the night before, it is important to get an ample amount of sleep to ensure that you are well-rested. Breathing techniques have also helped me to remain calm during high-stress situations such as taking a final exam.

[GPena1F]

Being stressed before a test is very normal and happens to all of us. To help relieve this stress the only thing I've really found useful is going over the topics I am unsure about and asking questions in addition to going over practice problems by myself and with other people.

[Paul Torres 2I]

I have personally found it easy to review each separate section of the class throughout the week a couple days before the final. Preferably it would be best to review even earlier, however to account for any difficulties I tend to review while I am walking to class or have an audio playing that reads my quizlet flashcards.