College Life

10 Finals Season Affirmations to Display in Your Dorm Room

published Nov 20, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
African American female student studying from home during lockdown
Credit: Drazen_ / Getty Images

It’s the most dreaded time of the semester: finals season.

Some of you may have your heads buried in textbooks weeks in advance (like me). Others might have more of a save-it-for-the-last-minute vibe (no shade). Either way, it’s essential to have a positive mindset about finals season so you can go into your exams with confidence. Not to be too cheesy, but I honestly think that if I can believe it, I can achieve it.

Of course, that can be easier said than done. It’s difficult to stay optimistic when deadlines are fast approaching, stress is building, and all of a sudden you’re questioning your academic abilities. 

Clichés aside, one of my favorite ways to inspire more upbeat thinking is with positive affirmations, aka short phrases that encourage a cheery mindset. You can read them, write them down, and speak them aloud — anything to help the words sink in. Personally, I love surrounding myself with these words by incorporating them into my home decor. If you want to do so, you can type them up in a pretty font and print them out, or simply jot them onto sticky notes and place them on your mirror to look at each morning.

Below are 10 affirmations that give me a much-need confidence boost and help me dispel negative thoughts during finals season.

1. I will ace all my finals.

It’s a basic affirmation, but it’s powerful. I’m a senior now, and I’ve found this sentence to be the first one I recite because, most of the time, I’m worried about getting a good grade on my finals and this is the affirmation that gets me through long study sessions.

2. I have all the tools to successfully complete my work. 

This affirmation is perfect for those who are easily influenced by #studytok. In a social media era when it seems everyone has to have the latest tech and gear to help them succeed in school, it’s easy to believe you need to purchase new and aesthetically pleasing items to get good grades. The truth is, in most cases, you can be prepared for your exams with the tools and resources you already have right now.

3. My grades don’t determine my worth.

Good grades are amazing, but they don’t decide your value. As someone who used to crave academic validation, I often come back to this affirmation to remind myself that grades aren’t everything. This makes it way easier for me to stress less about academics.

4. Even if I don’t get the grades I want, I am still proud of the work I completed.

While grades are not everything, progress is. Studying shouldn’t be solely for achieving good grades; it’s also for personal growth and the satisfaction that comes from the effort and dedication you put into learning new things.

Credit: Maskot / Getty Images

5. I find fulfillment in learning, not just studying.

Finals season is typically a time when people focus more on retaining information rather than actually learning it. I can say from experience, though, that it’s much more fun to actually learn, so I recite this affirmation to myself so I can remember that soaking up new information makes me feel successful.

6. I embrace any challenges that come my way because I know they are opportunities for growth.

Instead of seeing challenges as obstacles, we can view them as chances to learn and experience something new, develop resilience, and discover our strength.

7. I am calm, balanced, and ready to take my exams.

Exam season can feel chaotic and anxiety-inducing. But reciting this affirmation might help you feel a sense of readiness. 

8. I have what it takes to succeed.

Doubt may be a common feeling for college students (especially those who are afraid they didn’t study or work hard enough). If there’s one thing I’ve needed as a college student studying for finals, it’s reassurance that I can do hard things. 

9. I will conquer finals season. It will not conquer me. 

A major part of finals season is about resilience — fighting through long nights, self-doubt, and those times when you feel like you just can’t absorb any more new information. Everyone has bad days, and on those days, this affirmation is a great reminder to get back up after feeling like you’ve been knocked down.

10. I deserve academic success, and I will do my best to achieve it. 

Remind yourself that you are worthy of doing well in school. You’ve worked hard throughout the semester, and now is the time to believe in yourself and give it your all. You’ve got this!

Makenna Underwood

Journalism

Makenna Underwood is a senior journalism major, English minor attending Howard University. Originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, Underwood has always been interested in media and has a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of culture, style, and wellness as they pertain to her community. Makenna is an active member of her school’s newspaper, where she reports on various events and issues affecting the student body. Additionally, she dedicates her free time to writing on her blog, Makenna’s Meditation, which focuses on college lifestyle and wellness. Through her writing, Makenna hopes to inspire others to prioritize their well-being and to live their best lives.

Follow Makenna
SchoolHoward University '24
MajorJournalism
FavesBlogging, videography, shopping, house music, self-care
Get to know Makenna Underwood
Related ContentSee All