Finals Season Near SLU: Study Hacks, Chill Vibes & Taking Care of You

Finals are creeping up, SLU fam—and if you’re starting to feel the pressure, you’re definitely not alone. We’ve all had those “I’ve been in the library for six hours and forgot to eat” kind of days. But here’s the thing: grinding hard doesn’t have to mean burning out. Whether you’re hitting the books in Pius or posted up in your favorite study booth at VERVE (yep, 24/7 access), we’ve got your back with some study hacks, wellness tips, and tools to make finals szn a little less chaotic.

Study Hacks That Actually Work

1. Pomodoro Technique – Set a 25-minute timer, focus hard, then take a 5-minute break. After 4 rounds, treat yourself to a longer 15-20 minute break. It keeps your brain from frying.
   Try: Focus Keeper or Flora (bonus: Flora plants virtual trees as you stay focused).
   
2. Active Recall + Spaced Repetition – Rewriting notes = meh. Try flashcards (hello, Anki) or quizzing yourself out loud to actually retain stuff.
   
3. Group Study (Smartly) – Grab a study booth at VERVE or collab with classmates using tools like Google Meet or Discord. Talking through concepts is key for understanding.
   
4. The Two-Minute Rule – If a task takes less than 2 minutes (like emailing your prof or reviewing flashcards), do it now. It helps keep your to-do list from snowballing.
   

TikTok & Insta Study Hack Pages Worth Following

Your algorithm is about to get way more productive:

• @studyquill – aesthetic study vibes + helpful tools
  
• @theorganizedstudent – planner tips, real talk, and productivity inspo
  
• @motivation2study – for the days you need a little push
  
• @vervestl – okay shameless plug, but we post helpful tips too
  Follow us on Instagram
  

Spotify Playlists to Set the Mood

Need something chill to drown out distractions? These playlists won’t disappoint:

• “Lofi Beats” – soft, steady, and perfect for focus
  
• “Deep Focus” – ambient sounds that help you zone in
  
• “Brain Food” – great for long study sessions or papers
  

Pro tip: plug in, cozy up in a VERVE study nook, and let the good vibes flow.

Don’t Forget Your Brain Needs Fuel

Hydrate. Eat real meals. Get at least some sleep. Finals are important, but so is your mental health. Take stretch breaks. Journal. Breathe. Walk to Kaldi’s or Blueprint Coffee for a caffeine run—both are near SLU and perfect for switching up your scenery.

Bonus Tip: Study Spaces that Don’t Suck

Sometimes you need a change of environment. If the library’s packed or your roommates are being loud, VERVE’s got private study rooms, conference spaces, and 24/7 access to cozy study booths with a coffee bar. Yeah, we kinda thought of everything. Just steps away from SLU—so you can be productive without trekking across town.

Finals might be tough, but you’ve got this. Be kind to yourself, stay hydrated, and remember: no grade is worth sacrificing your health.

Want more tips, study inspo, and giveaways?
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Good luck out there, Billikens