It’s November, assignments are stacking up, and finals are just around the corner. At The Station on Washington, we know a well-organized, cozy space makes it easier to focus, stay motivated, and tackle exams with confidence. Here are apartment hacks and study strategies to help you prep your space—and your mind—so you can power through finals successfully.
1. Own Your Environment: Create a Study Sanctuary
A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. Start by tidying your study area—stack your notebooks, clear stray clothes, and put away dishes.
- Lighting matters: A bright corner by the window or a desk lamp with warm light can boost alertness.
- Designate zones: Even in a tidy UMN apartment, create separate spots for studying, relaxing, and snacking. Your brain will thank you when it knows “this is study time.”
- Reduce distractions: Noise-canceling headphones, putting your phone on airplane mode, or even a small “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door can keep you in the zone.
2. Time Block the Chaos, Don’t Just List It
Effective study management tips go beyond simple to-do lists. You need to assign specific tasks to specific times, treating study sessions like mandatory appointments.
- Apartment Hack: Schedule short, mandatory breaks (e.g., 10 minutes every hour). Use these breaks to quickly walk down the hall, grab a snack from your kitchen, or stretch—this resets your focus faster than scrolling social media.
- Study Tip: Take advantage of your location! When you need a change of scenery to beat procrastination, utilize the study rooms or lounges available in your apartment near UMN.
3. Move Your Body, Save Your Brain
When stress mounts during Finals Week, movement is the best medicine. You can’t just rely on caffeine!
- Apartment Hack: Take five minutes between subjects to use the stairs or walk a quick lap around the building. Use the fitness center—it’s right in your UMN off campus apartment, making it impossible to skip.
- Study Tip: Incorporate music without lyrics (classical, lo-fi, or instrumental soundtracks) to keep your energy up without pulling focus from the material.
Stressed out? Don’t let finals completely consume you! Before you sit down for your next cram session, take a moment to read: 7 Simple Tips to Reduce Stress During the College Grind
4. Group Study Smartly and Strategically
Collaborating with classmates is crucial, but it needs to be efficient.
- Apartment Hack: If studying with classmates, designate your UMN apartment as a review zone only—not a social hub. Use the dining table or living area strictly for active quizzing and focused discussion, keeping distractions minimal.
- Final Exams Tips: Keep group sessions short (no more than 90 minutes) and highly structured. Focus only on testing each other, explaining concepts, or reviewing old exams—not just reviewing notes together.
5. Fuel the Machine: Plan Your Nutrition
Don’t let endless fast food derail your energy. Good fuel is critical for your concentration.
- Apartment Hack: Prep healthy, grab-and-go snacks on Sunday (pre-cut fruit, hard-boiled eggs, small bags of trail mix). Having immediate, healthy options ready prevents you from making impulsive, low-energy food choices at 2 AM.
- Final Exams Tips: Keep water constantly nearby. Dehydration causes fatigue, a mistake no student living in student apartments near UMN should make during crunch time.
Final Prep: Crush Those Exams
You have the comfort, convenience, and community support right here at The Station on Washington. By implementing these smart study management tips and taking advantage of everything your home provides, you can approach Finals Week confidently, rested, and ready to dominate!