Study/Finals Tip: Use a Planner (or App) and Make Lists!

Finals are upon us, and I am beyond stressed. Tests don't worry me too much (I only have 2 this semester), but this semester my finals are mostly papers. 
One of my favorite and most recommended study tips is simply: GO TO SLEEP! However, come finals week, that tip just may not apply depending on how many assignments you're procrastinating on (because let's be honest, we're doing all of these last minute). 
I've learned that planners and any other organizer are your best friends during this time. Whether it's an app or a paper organizer (I prefer paper), it is so important to have everything written down somewhere. 
I usually try to write down whatever I have due in the coming week or in the next few days and I do things in the order that they are due. For example, if I have two classes on one day with assignments due in both, of course I'm going to do the work for the earlier class first. 
I know that if you have a planner chances are you probably use it on a weekly or daily basis already, but if you don't at least make a point to purchase (or download) something to help you list out all you have to do. 
Even if it's simply getting a piece of paper or post its and writing lists of what you need to do, both will help. I think lists are always useful and relevant to use no matter what situation you may be in. 
Okay, so finals week is coming up and I am so excited to be done! What other tips do you use for finals week? Do you use a paper planner or an app to stay organized? 

The Hardest Part About... Finals Week

So it is finals week at my school this week and if it isn't finals week at your school, you know that it's coming. Finals week is already taking such a toll on me by making me super lazy and neglecting some last-minute school things I have to do (don't worry, I got all my final tests/papers in check) and my blog! But no worries, after this Friday when I'm moved out and back home, I'll be good for the summer!

Anyway, so people are always talking about how hard it is to study or write papers during the last few days of finals week, but I can beg to differ. I think that there is something more difficult and draining than those tests.

So what's the hardest part about finals week? Packing.

Packing is seriously the hardest part about this time of the year. It seems totally unrelated to finals because packing up and moving out isn't a test or anything that you could be graded on later, but if you really think about it, it has everything to do with finals week.

Think about it: Finals week not only means final tests and projects, but it also means final days in the place you've made home for the year and depending on where your friends live, with your closest friends for the next few months. Of course this doesn't apply if you're a commuter or if you live in an apartment (or maybe it does if your lease is up), but you know what I mean.

Maybe it's just because I love unpacking and decorating and I hate packing and moving around. Maybe I've just gotten too lazy to clean that now that I'm forced to, I'm dreading it. Or maybe it's because I'm going to miss the air-conditioning and walk-in closet that my dorm currently has (my dorm next year won't have either of those, unfortunately). Maybe it's because I was the absolute last person to move off my floor last year and it was so weird living on an empty floor and in an empty room by myself.

How to deal with it: Tackle packing up your stuff little by little. Try not to cram it all in one day or one night. Unless you hated your roommates and where you lived, it might get overwhelming and possibly emotional if you wait til the last second. You don't even have to do much. Just slowly start taking things off the walls or cleaning out your fridge every day. Then as you finish up finals, start packing up your books and desk stuff. You'll probably be packing up your clothes last. Last year, it took me at least 3 or 4 days to pack my stuff up if not more. It'll take me longer this year, that's for sure. I've already started packing but it's pretty overwhelming.

How's finals week for you? What do you struggle the most with during finals week? What's your packing strategy?