Ciao everyone!
It is hard to believe, but we are right by the finish line. The semester has completely flown by, and navigating finals week while simultaneously soaking in the very last days of the program is incredibly hectic and emotional. Here are my top tips and tricks for surviving finals week abroad.
Start Early
It might be the most obvious piece of advice in the world, but it cannot be overstated. With the reality of saying goodbyes and attending final program events, leaving your studying to the last minute is a recipe for disaster. Getting a head start on reviewing your material makes the actual week infinitely more manageable. The final gourmet dinner and closing event are during finals week, so be prepared.
Keep Your Last Weekend Simple
For your final travel weekend right before exams, plan a small, easy trip, or just don't travel at all. While a lot of my blogs have usually been about high-momentum itineraries across multiple countries, I decided to head down to Naples for this one. It was a super chill trip, kept the travel fatigue to a minimum, and ensured I was actually rested going into the toughest academic week of the semester.
Pack Before Finals Week
At CIMBA, our room checkout is strictly at 3 PM, which is only a couple of hours after the very last exam ends. If you wait to pack, you are going to be scrambling at the last minute. By packing your luggage entirely prior to finals week, you avoid that massive wave of stress. More importantly, it gives you the freedom to spend those precious final hours actually giving your final goodbyes to everyone without worry, rather than fighting with a suitcase.
Anticipate a Quick Turnaround
The testing schedule here is no joke. All of your exams will happen within an incredibly tight 48 to 72-hour window. You have to be mentally prepared for the rapid pace, as there are times you might only have a 15-minute break between one final and the next.
Study in Blocks
Because all the exams are packed so closely together, you have a massive amount of content to review in a very short amount of time. However, staring at the exact same subject for six hours straight won't get you anywhere. Break your study sessions into blocks, rotate your subjects, and keep your brain fresh so you can handle the quick turnaround.
Prioritize Sleep
In the middle of studying and trying to make the most of your last days in Italy, it is easy to let rest slide. Don't do it. Getting actual sleep is the only way you are going to survive the gauntlet of back-to-back exams and still have the energy to enjoy the end of the program and travel home.
It is bittersweet to see this experience come to an end, but I am so incredibly grateful for the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve met. One more day to go..
Grazie,
Srikar