Finals week is around the corner and Rio Hondo students are too stressed-out. Among the lack of sleep, many hours studying and working to complete last-minute homework assignments, finals can make a student feel like they will not be able to get through the week or even the semester.

In fact, the majority of college students tend to claim that their number one source of stress is directly related to finals week and their final exams.

However, while finals week can be a primary stressor, sometimes having some alone time can help relieve stress. Exercising, hanging out with friends, listening to favorite music and prayer/meditation are all good ways to de-stress during these last weeks of school. Also, we must remember that getting plenty of sleep and eating a good breakfast can help us attain a good grade.

Finals are very important to students, and one must comprehend all the material before finishing the course. It’s understandable why many professors tend to grade harder on finals than any other exam or assignments, to ensure that the students are studying as much as they should, but knowing that one test holds all the information you’ve learned throughout the semester can either make or break your grade.

Students should be studying all the semester and continuing to learn the information, but small quizzes and assignments tend to get in the way throughout the semester and especially during the last three weeks. The most frustrating feeling is taking an exam unprepared not because you didn’t learn the material, but because you didn’t have time to study.

But instead of agonizing over the unknown, reduce your stress by knowing what’s to come. Knowing what you’re up against for finals week can help reduce your stress levels and can help you perform your best on the day of the exam.

It’s natural for end-of-semester jitters to strike even the most seasoned college students, but it tends to hit first-time students a lot harder. However, worrying about college finals can only make an exam more challenging to take.

Try not to waste a lot of time finding a spot in the main library during finals week. Instead, scope out a substitute study space that’s less crowded and quieter. Good alternatives to your main campus library include smaller department libraries, student lounges or even the comfort of your own room.

Although two or more hours might sound like more than enough time to finish a final exam, with so many challenging questions to work through, you should prepare for a possible time crunch.

When studying, make sure to understand the material. A good rule of thumb is that if you can explain each topic on your syllabus and in your textbook in complete detail, you’re probably prepared to ace that final.