The start of December brings many wonderful things, from holiday cheer to snow and so much more. However, December 1 also marks the start of finals season: the most dreaded two weeks of the year when everyone returns home from Thanksgiving break to begin cramming and suffering over their impending doom… I mean finals.
It may seem like there’s simply no way to survive this season, but trust me, there is. Here is my ultimate studying system that has never failed me during exam time.Â
- Passive Studying
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The best advice is to be constantly, constantly working with the material from the beginning – even if you are not actively studying for an exam. Make sure you are keeping up with assigned readings and taking notes as they come up in class. Without this, the exam studying process will be a lot harder.
Key Tips:
- Reread your notes after class and make sure to process the material while it’s still fresh. If there are things you don’t understand, make sure to highlight these and clarify with your classmates or professors!
- If there are notes you missed, make sure to review the lecture slides as they are posted or ask a classmate for theirs. It’s important to be caught up, rather than have to scavenge like a madman for missing notes at the end of the semester.
- Active Studying
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 Start actively reviewing and studying exam material one to two weeks beforehand.Â
Disclaimer: This is just my process for studying. Feel free to change it up however it works best for you! Just actively be working with the material for at least one to two weeks before the exam.
My Method:
1. Reread notes from all readings
- Focus on… the main idea, what methods the author used in the study, the results or findings of the study, and how this relates to broader class concepts.
2. Rewrite reading notes TWICE: Once on a computer and once on paper.
- Focus on the big ideas and leave out minor detailsÂ
3. Quiz yourself! Can you remember what the big ideas were for each reading?
- This can be done through a Quizlet, flashcards, etc.; any method that works for you!
4. Reread all the posted lecture slides
5. Rewrite all lecture notes TWICE: Once on a computer and once on paper.
6. Even after all this, you still need to actively work with the material up until the exam.
I genuinely look like a crazy person while studying for exams. In between classes, I walk around talking to myself about the material. If you can explain the material to yourself thoroughly, you can explain it on the exam. While you talk through the material to yourself, make notes of anything you get stuck on and review these concepts when you have time.Â
- Focus on… the main idea, what methods the author used in the study, the results or findings of the study, and how this relates to broader class concepts.
- The Exam
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Professors don’t just want to see that you know the material; they want you to show that you actually understand what it means and didn’t just memorize facts.Â
Key Tips:Â
1. Make connections in your essay questions. Don’t just state facts! Explain why something happens rather than just what happens. Don’t just dump information. Each sentence should be purposeful and provide something to your argument.
2. Don’t spend too much time on questions you don’t understand! Personally, I read through each question and answer the ones that I know and can answer quickly first, before moving on to the hardest questions.Â
3. Read instructions twice! Once, I almost failed an exam because I missed a key instruction. Don’t make my mistake!
4. Don’t overthink! Show what you know; sometimes overthinking can make you question your knowledge!
5. These ones sound silly, but they’re actually true: Get a good night’s sleep, eat a good breakfast, and don’t rush to your exam! It’s better to be calm and prepared than stressed and cramming.
At the end of the day, grades do not define you. Although it’s important to make an effort and try your hardest, it’s also important to take care of yourself. So, make time for yourself in between studying; go grab lunch with your friends or take a walk in nature, and remember…Â
There is so much more to life than passing an exam!
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