Finals week is sure to stress out every Cougar on campus. If the papers, projects and presentations start to feel a bit overwhelming, HC Chatham team members have advice to help you glide through the next few weeks so you can breathe easy on vacation.
Get Organized.
Mid-semester, organization becomes less of a priority. It’s not unusual to come back from Thanksgiving break to a desk completely engulfed in looseleaf, pencil stubs and open textbooks. Though it’s relatively easy to make it through most of the semester with a few things askew, it’s essential to straighten up for finals week. “Definitely put all of your notes together for each exam,” says Business Team Member Casey Deer. “Be prepared!” Even a few misplaced papers can have a serious impact on your exam performance.
Create Study Guides
Many Chatham professors will give you a study guide, but it’s still useful to make your own based on what you know you need to focus on most. “As much as I wanted to save paper, making a hard copy study guide was super beneficial,” says Sustainability Writer Catherine Giles. “For a Spanish final, I limited myself to one page, front and back, of a study guide, and I also highlighted key terms in different colors.” On that note…
Mark It Up!
Highlighting, circling, taking notes in the margins of your textbook: all of these actions will help you commit the material to memory (especially when you’re slumped over a desk late into the evening). “I know there have been many studies done on color and memory, so highlighting a study guide or retyping notes in colored font is really beneficial!” says Giles.
Don’t Cram
“Do not study the night before the exam,” says Social Media Director Amy Chau. “It will be very difficult to remember everything.” And while all-nighters seem to be a rite of passage in college, Chau advises against them: “You will feel very tired and won’t focus.”
Create a Timeline
“Study a little bit of each subject every day,” suggests News/Lifestyle Section Editor Gretchen Geibel. “Last year, I devoted one day to each subject I needed to study. Because of this, the material I studied on the last days that I hadn’t touched in a few days was not fresh in my mind at all and so I needed a lot more review time.”
Stay on Top of Your Work
Often, professors assign homework and readings almost up to the end of classes. Add to that the fact that at least one of your courses is likely to have a final you complete on your own time (a massive research paper, perhaps, or an independent project), it becomes even more critical to avoid falling behind. “Don’t wait to do your work until the last minute, especially with reading assignments and papers,” says News/Lifestyle Writer Shannon Ward. “If you’re behind in your work, start doing a little bit of it each day. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you can cram it all into one weekend or one study day. That never works!”
Ask for Help
Your professors are all willing to support you through the final stretch. If you’re stuck on a problem or having trouble with a topic, stop by their office hours or set up a meeting; it’s better to work through the issue now than try to tackle it during a test.
And Finally, Remember to Relax
Hard work is critical, but so is staying calm. If you balance dedication with relaxation, all will be well.
Good luck, collegiettes! We’re rooting for you!
Have a good study tip to share? We’d love to read it in the comments!