Students should prepare before finals

It's the last weekend before you're done.

Don't blow it.

The 16th week of the semester is finally upon us. "Finally" being the important word in that sentence.

Be careful blowing off steam this weekend so you don't overdo it and forget that things aren't over yet. No matter how well you've done so far, finals are designed to damage even the highest of grades and will do so without careful preparation on your part.

The general stress level is about to increase dramatically. This anxiety is a good thing; keep it as a reminder not to overdo whatever you're planning to do this weekend. If those plans include partying, remember there's still tests to be taken. If those plans include studying, remember there's still parties to be attended.

Finals season means cramming season. Cramming is one of the worst ways to study next to studying by osmosis. Finals week is long and, since there's no class, use your free time to study days in advance. Even if that means studying — gasp! — this weekend.

There's a certain point where a knife can get no sharper, and if you try you only succeed in making it dull. The human mind functions in much the same way.

Know your limits. Don't be afraid to acknowledge the fact that you have retained within you all you're going to be able to retain on cathedrals of the Italian Renaissance and that it's time to maybe take a break.

But above all, be safe. Pushing yourself to exhaustion or hallucinatory states may get your studying completed, but it will also require recovery time. Lack of sleep severely weakens the immune system, as does heavy partying.

Don't spend the first week of your summer enjoying infected sinuses and watery eyes.

Spend it instead enjoying the confidence that you did as well as you possibly could have on your finals and that you're that much closer to a degree.

Unless you're graduating, in which case, enjoy your new status as a Purdue Alum and the fact that there's few better things to have on a resume.

Plus you'll never have to take finals again.

Editorial Board: Keith Thomas, Tom McHenry, Melissa Davis and Laura Pelner.

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