So it’s finals week, which means cranking out the most studying you’ve done all semester, sleepless nights and a strict diet of coffee and take-out food. Final exams can often have a huge impact on your grade, so here are a few tips to make sure you’re as prepared as possible.
Start studying early.
It’s the most difficult tip to commit to, but it makes a huge difference in your study load. Depending on the class, try to start studying at least a few days before your test day, and don’t be afraid to go over information you’re already familiar with. This way you’re not cramming everything in your brain the night before the exam.
Explain concepts to a classmate.
One of the best ways to check your understanding of a subject is to check your ability to teach it to someone else. This is one of the reasons study groups can be super effective. However, make sure to study independently as well. It’s just as important.
Quiz yourself.
This is one of the most well-known and effective studying strategies. Simply reading over your notes isn’t going to do anything because you’ll end up convincing yourself you know the information better than you actually do. Take the time to go through practice exams your professors might have provided, work through questions you might have found online or find a study buddy and make each other practice problems.
Try to study without music.
Despite what many popular news sources might tell you, research shows that studying is most effective when done in silence. If you’re accustomed to studying with music and feel that taking it out of your routine would be more harmful than helpful, try listening to quiet, instrumental music without lyrics to help you focus.
Relax the hour before the exam.
So this isn’t exactly a “study” tip, but it will definitely help with any nerves you might have before the exam. Instead of cramming every last bit of information you can find into your head right before your test, hang with some friends and grab something to eat. All the better if they’re friends who are getting ready to take the test, too. You can always rely on each other for support.
Hopefully you found these tips helpful, and feel more prepared for finals. Study hard, Gophers!