Opting for an earlier final exam?

College Life
1

I have two final exams and a final essay due on December 23rd. I have a final essay due in another class the week before - on the 16th. One of my professors told the class that if we so choose, we can take our final exam on the 15th instead of the 23rd.

The final for that class is the one I’m probably least worried about - the course material is very straight forward and the final exam is just multiple choice. The format will be identical to the midterm - which I received a 100% on. I have a 100 in the class and I need at least an 80 on the exam to maintain an A (the exam is 35% of the grade.) If there was an exam that I’d be willing to take earlier, it’d most likely be that one.

My dilemma is this: I actually enjoy having later exams because I have two weeks between the end of classes and the exam itself to study. I’d appreciate the additional week to study for the final. On the other hand, I’m concerned about being overwhelmed by the two finals (one of which I am predicting to be quite challenging) as well as the final essay (which is a 10 page literary analysis/comparison of two books.) I am not SUPER great at time management - I have a tendency to procrastinate so it is unlikely that I’ll thoughtfully divide my time between the three things, it’ll likely be a chaotic, stress filled mess in the two to three days leading up to the 23rd.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

2

I would take the easy final earlier so you can concentrate on the other two. You have time now to create a schedule for your self to study for the easier class. On Dec 16th you will be so happy you did this.

Also, I would read this book: “How To Become a Straight-A Student” by Cal Newport that has fabulous strategies for time management.

3

I would take the final earlier.

I’m a procrastinator too, and I know I would wait until the last minute and study very little (if at all) for the easier final. I’d rather get it done early and out of the way so I just don’t have to worry about it. It sounds like you get the material and are doing well in the class. I don’t think you’d get a whole lot more out of the extra week of studying besides the stress of having to worry about an extra final.

4

Given the opportunity to take one of your easier items off your plate is a good deal. Go for taking that exam early so you can focus on the rest of the end of term work.

5

I would also take it earlier. I’m not sure when your classes end, but I’m guessing you would still at least have a little time to study between the end of classes and the 15th. That way after you hand in your first essay on the 16th, you have a week to focus on only two things: studying for your exam on the 23rd and writing your last essay!