“Tips and tricks to have my professor give me an A without me having to do any work?”
Dear Bluejay,
Finals are coming and learning how to survive without losing your mind (or your GPA) is important. Suddenly, the weather is nice, your motivation is almost nonexistent and every group chat is buzzing with some version of, “Wait, when is our final?” If you’re feeling overwhelmed, underprepared or just one bad Brandeis meal away from snapping, you’re not alone. Here are some ideas on how to survive finals season without spiraling into a puddle of tears and existential dread:
1. Prioritize like your life depends on it. Look at your finals schedule and figure out which exams or projects actually carry the most weight. Be honest about where your time and energy need to go — not where you wish they could go.
2. Build a study plan. The most important thing about making a study plan is making one that you can actually follow. “I’ll just study all day” is a beautiful lie we tell ourselves, and I am not one to deny that. Break it down and set realistic goals for each day. “Read chapter 3 and complete practice problems by noon” feels doable. “Rewrite the entire semester of notes” feels like maybe I’ll take a nap instead, after I do a third of the work.
3. Treat your brain like an expensive machine. You wouldn’t run a Ferrari on cheap gas. (Or maybe you would, but let’s pretend for the sake of this example.) Sleep, water and actual meals aren’t luxuries during finals they’re survival tools. A well-rested brain works faster and retains more. Even a 20-minute walk outside can reset your focus better than doom scrolling on TikTok for three hours.
4. Find a finals study buddy. Whether it’s a friend, a class group chat or even a “study with me” video on YouTube, having someone (or something) keep you accountable helps more than you think. Plus, misery loves company, and sharing the pain weirdly makes studying feel lighter.
A final thought for you: you don’t have to be perfect to crush finals. You just have to be consistent enough to get across the finish line. Take it one task at a time, one chapter at a time or one day at a time. And hey—in a few short weeks, you’ll be free. No more study guides and no more 8 a.m. exams. Just sunshine, naps and the sweet, sweet sound of textbooks gathering dust. You’ve got this. Now, go take that final, and then reward yourself like the academic warrior you are. We are all counting on you to be your best self, because that is what you deserve. You are more than just a grade; you are amazing, you are worthy and you can totally do this. You wouldn’t have gotten into Creighton if you weren’t cut out for the job.
Good luck, Bluejay!