5 Tips to Survive Finals Week

I realize that around 7 months ago I wrote a blog post very similar to this one, but I always find them really interesting to read.  So here I am again, in honor of finals week beginning to give you some tips on how to survive finals week. 

            Finals week is something that no matter what you do, you will have to face it.  If you are like me, then finals week is something that you dread all year long.  I am an absolutely horrible test-taker, so finals are about my worst nightmare.  Over the past few finals weeks, I have been able to collect a few tips, along with some tips that according to statistics are promised to ease finals week stress, and even improve test scores!

• Experiment with different methods of studying

Sometimes it’s easy to just skim over old notes that you have, and to call it good.  I challenge you to try a new way of studying.  Read flash cards while hanging upside down, put on classical music and sing your vocabulary words, whatever works for you, do it!

• Silence your social media accounts

I am one of the worst about turning my phone on “do not disturb” mode, and then always tapping my phone to see what notifications are there. Try putting on your “airplane” mode instead.  You won’t get any form of notifications while on this mode, therefore taking away the option for extra distractions.

• Review old tests

Most teachers base their midterms and finals on previous tests they’ve created. This is also a great way to go back, and see things that you struggled with earlier in the year!

• Manage your anxiety

This can be a fairly difficult task, seeing how anxiety is second nature for some of us. There are so many simple things that can ease test stress.  One of my favorite things to do is listen to really calming music.  If you log into Spotify, you can search “stress free” and there should be several playlists full of calming music that are available!

• Create a study schedule

This seems like a really strange thing to do, but it helped me SO much last year.  Get a piece of paper the week BEFORE finals, and create the amount of time per class that you will be studying.  If you feel compelled, even plan out where you plan to do your studying, and the time span you need to study for each of your classes. This helps you not stress nearly as much about all the studying you have to do, instead you already know exactly what you have to do, and how much time it will take!

I hope these tips helped at least a few of you with easing those horrible finals stresses!  Remember that it’s only a week, and remember that hundreds of other students have gone through the same thing, and they all survived!  You can do this friends, good luck!

Let it Snow

I decided it was the perfect time to sit down by the fireplace, and to simply enjoy a good book. As I sat there, I realized it would only make sense to read a Christmas book, which I immediately knew which one I would dive into for the second time.  I reached for “Let it Snow” by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.

I know what you’re thinking, “How can a book be written by 3 people?!” This book is crafted in just the right way; it would be weird if it weren’t! The book is actually a compilation of 3 different short stories, each story slowly and ever so slightly tying into the last. (It’s truly only something that certain authors could do)

I would be the world’s biggest liar if I didn’t admit to you that I only got this book for two reasons. 1) It was a Christmas book and 2) JOHN GREEN, DUH! John green is hands down one of my favorite authors, the way he writes just makes me laugh! When I read this book for the first time, I really thought I would just like John’s part of the 3 stories, because I had no idea who the other authors were.  As I began to read I was so disappointed to see that John’s chapter wasn’t the first story, but the second. Which if any of you are big readers like I am, you can’t break the sacred code; I was actually going to have to read someone else before John.

 I dove right in, and fell in love with the characters that Maureen Johnson created. She wrote beautifully, and it was truly one of the best short stories I had ever read. Of course, John’s story was equally amazing, and the last story by Lauren Myracle was the icing on top of the cake. It was a wonderful Christmas book; that would make you laugh, and make you feel all warm and fuzzy.  I would definitely recommend this book to ANYONE during the holiday seasons. 

I realize that this seems like a really strange book review, seeing how I didn’t even mention the story line, trust me I know.  I went to try and fit into words just how the stories worked, and realized there was no good way to tell you about the three short stories, without giving away the best parts!  Sadly, you will just have to take my word on how wonderful this book is.  I hope you all get the chance to curl up by a fire, with some amazing spritz cookies and get drawn into this brilliant holiday book. It’s a book I plan on having become a yearly Christmas tradition for me!

Christmas Movie Night

Big fluffy blanket, crackling fireplace, cup of hot chocolate and the perfect Christmas movie playing in the background.  Sounds nearly perfect right?  I started to mentally prepare myself for one of my cozy Christmas movie nights the other day, and realized just how monumental these moments were.  I never realized how much I actually looked forward to these nights!  There is just something about curling up and watching a good ole’ Christmas movie.  Below are some of my absolute favorite Christmas movies that are perfect for one of these nights.  I also might add that some of these movies have amazing soundtracks along with them! Depending what kind of Christmas movie you are looking for, I have them categorized for you! J

Nostalgic:

•        The Grinch
•        Disney’s A Christmas Carol
•        The Polar Express
•        Prancer
•        The Santa Clause

Humorous:

•        Elf
•        National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
•        Four Christmases
•        A Christmas Story

Romance:

•        Hitched for the Holidays
•        It’s a Wonderful Life

Oh Christmas Tree

As we decided it was time to finally being to “deck the halls” at our house, we immediately headed straight to the Christmas tree box.  This Christmas tree is an iconic symbol of Christmas world wide, and it’s all around magical to look at. 

As we went to put up our Christmas tree, my dad put it together, and went to plug it in.  (Take note that we had bought this tree 4 years ago, pre-lit, and we’ve ALWAYS had problems with the lights) In previous years, after we plugged it in we noticed one or two sections lights weren’t working, in which my dad would begin to work with the wires, resulting in him eventually getting the whole thing to light up.

 This year as we all crossed our fingers as he reached for the plug, once it made contact a whopping 12 lights on the tree worked. Defeat, that’s the only word I can use to describe the look on all of our faces as quickly we all began to loose the “Christmas cheer” luster.  We all sat, waiting for my dad’s reaction. Finally he stood up, looked at the tree and muttered “nope, not today”.  All of us looked up at my dad to see what we were going to do, in which he responded with unplugging the tree and taking it apart. 

We all laughed and joked about it, but then we realized, WE DON’T HAVE A CHRISTMAS TREE! My mom then went into her room and grabbed three, very skinny, very unconventional Christmas trees and arranged them around the living area where the “stupid” Christmas tree was supposed to be. 

All of us girls just looked up at her and just shook our heads and said “it’s better than rewiring that old tree!” If that isn’t lazy family problem solving, I don’ t know what is! 

When the trees first went up I didn’t know how I felt about this weird Christmas tree assortment, but in the end I actually kind of like it better! It’s like having a forest in our living room!  Oh, the Christmas memories the Klahr’s make.

Christmas Spritz Cookies

I wanted to share something that really sparks some Christmas cheer at my house during the holiday season, which of course means cookies!  I’m not really sure when this tradition started, but all I know is now we can’t go a year without! 

We call them “spritz cookies” comparable to a sugar cookie, but with a slight short bread vibe. (Sorry describing things isn’t exactly my best skill) I can tell you this for sure; they are absolutely delicious.  My dad is usually the one that makes them every year, and in past years he has even colored them and made them into adorable little shapes.

           

I would also like to note that this isn’t an old family recipe, we aren’t THAT creative! J It’s featured in an older Betty Crocker cookbook that my parents were given when they got married. I really encourage you all to try out this recipe; they make a really great Christmas gift!

Prep Time: 25 min; Bake Time: 45 min

Makes about 30 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup stick butter, softened*

½ cup sugar

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour**

1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

Few drops red or green food color, if desired

•     Heat oven to 400˚ F
•     Mix butter and sugar in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients.
•     Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheet.
•      Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until set but NOT brown. IMMEDIATELY remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

* Don’t use margarine or vegetable oil spreads.

** Do not use self-rising flour in this recipe.