Aries (March 21 – April 20)
Finding motivation as the semester draws to a close is a struggle. Why bother with boring gen-eds when there’s something much more interesting to put your energy into? Connect the boring classes to something you are passionate about to get the job done and be one step closer to your goals. Consider adopting the Pomodoro study technique to prevent early burnouts. Take a five-minute break after 25 minutes of studying.
Taurus (April 21 – May 20)
Focus comes easily to you, so it’s all about finding the best environment for your focus to thrive. Find a spot where no one can find you. The less you are disturbed, the better. Studying early in the morning or late in the evening will give you some hours of quiet as well. To manage big projects, divide them into smaller, manageable portions. This gives you feelings of accomplishment while putting you one step closer towards the end.
Gemini (May 21 – June 22)
Studying with friends is the best way to stay on task and not feel so alone in the ocean of assignments. Have a massive Zoom study session with all your friends. Even if you aren’t struggling with the material, it’s nice to have company. If studying alone, have some non-distracting white noise in the background to help focus. Try the rubber duck method of studying. Grab a friend or inanimate object to teach a concept to. Verbalizing the concept will help you commit it to memory.
Cancer (June 23 – July 21)
To keep your focus during finals it is best to remove as many distractions as possible. Pick a spot and time to regularly return to keep the feeling of focus. The more you plan how to attack the end of the year course work the better you will feel when starting assignments. Study alone until you feel confident with the material, then share your knowledge and review with friends.
Leo (July 22 – Aug. 23)
Don’t stress over the details, focus on the big picture. Connect your schoolwork to your long-term goals for a source of motivation. Remember, the sooner you get this work out of the way, the closer you are to your goals. Reduce your stress levels by keeping assignments and studying simple. Find the main idea of the concept, describe it in three to four words and then commit those to memory.
Virgo (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23)
Writing notes doesn’t work for everyone. To get the most out of your classes, record lectures and play them back. Use them as background noise while you do other tasks. You’ll be surprised how much of the recordings you retained after a week of having them on as background noise. Focus on one task at a time during the end of the semester. One day for one subject. This will help to prevent overwhelming feelings.
Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23)
Work hard, play hard. Finals week is all about finding a balance for you. Start on your tasks early and plan out when and how to tackle them. This leaves you time to get all your work done and still have some time for self-loving. To keep to all the work you’ve planned out, keep a journal or planner handy. This helps to visualize the tasks at hand and see your progress. If following the same regime gets too boring, switch it up.
Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22)
The best way to commit concepts to memory is to isolate yourself and figure things out. Here your knack for problem-solving will come in handy. You’ve never been one to back down from a challenge, so don’t let this change in school. Tackle problems with the same gusto with which you tackle life. Set goals throughout your studying which can help with feeling like you have accomplished something and stay motivated.
Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21)
Always be the one to dream big, but don’t set yourself up for more than you can manage. When making a schedule to study with, be sure to break it up into manageable chunks. Divide and conquer like a boss. Follow your natural curiosity when it comes to course materials. Question everything and seek out the answers to those questions.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20)
Use your love of competition to your advantage. See how you did in your last assignment and then challenge yourself to do better. If you are struggling to find interest in a course, relate it to something that you are driven about. Being so goal-oriented, it is easy to assume that you know what to do by now, but if you don’t, don’t be afraid to research and try other study strategies.
Aquarius (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19)
Stick to quiet areas when it comes to understanding the fundamentals of a subject, then review in groups. When in silence, be sure to have some background noise to help you focus without feeling totally isolated. Keep your objective in mind. Set up some loose study sessions to give you something to work towards, but don’t feel bad if plans fall through. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that you have other settings to study in.
Pisces (Feb. 20 – March 20)
Procrastination is the enemy, yet the habit is harder to beat in quarantine. When it comes to completing tasks, work within your limits. As soon as you get an assignment or task, spend 15-20 minutes on it. Then plan to return to it a few different times until the deadline is here. You’re too easily distracted. The fewer distractions and more silence you have while working, the easier it will be to focus.
