Before you know it, it’s that time of the semester where you have lots of papers to write, tests to take, and group projects coming up. It’s important to stay organized throughout the semester, but let’s face it, burn-out has gotten the best of us during this year with Covid and attending Zoom University. Here are some ways you can start preparing for finals whether they are next week, in a few weeks, or next month, that can ease your anxiety for finals season!
1. Make Lists
When the end of the semester is a few weeks away, review your syllabi to see which assignments are coming up so you do not forget anything that’s due. This will also keep you motivated because you will realize how close you are to being done! Making daily to-do lists are crucial in being productive. I recommend making your to-do lists the night before, so you have your day planned by the time you wake up. It’s important to be realistic when making to do lists because you don’t want to overwhelm yourself as this will lead to unproductivity.
2. Don’t Fall Behind
Even though you are almost done with the semester, you don’t want to throw away all of the hard work that you put in during the semester. Stay on top of your assignments and do not procrastinate. The next time you want to procrastinate tell yourself this: The mental energy it takes to procrastinate is the same mental energy it takes to complete an assignment.
3. Plan Ahead
Looking at the week ahead will prevent you from procrastinating. Planning ahead is important because you will have more time to work on assignments, and you will have room in your schedule for unexpected things that may pop up during the week like group meetings, appointments, etc. Check out my article “How to Avoid the Sunday Scaries” for my tips on how to prepare for a new week.
4. Use Quizlet
Quizlet is an excellent source for students. It allows you to make flashcards, create practice tests, and play games that help you participate in active, rather than passive, learning. The more you engage in the material you are studying, the better you will understand it. You can even search for Quizlet study sets that relate to the topics you are studying for more practice.
5. Form a Study Group Over Zoom
Study groups are very helpful with meeting new people and learning more about the material. They also prevents procrastination because they encourage you to study beforehand so you know which questions to ask your peers.
6. Pay attention in Class
This may sound cliché, but paying attention in class is crucial for performing well on your finals. Turn your camera on in your Zoom classes as this will force you to pay attention. In my experience, content from the last few weeks of classes are mostly on final exams. Take notes while your professor is lecturing as it will also force you to pay attention. Don’t worry about making your notes look good, just write down important things. After each lecture re-write your notes, make a Quizlet, and write questions for your study guide. Doing this right after lectures prevents you from studying at the last minute.
7. Re-watch Lectures
One luxury of Zoom University is that you can re-watch lectures as many times as you want (if your professor records their lectures). This is useful because if you didn’t understand something in class, you can re-watch it as many times as you need. To save time you can watch the lecture in 2x speed. If you watch your lectures more than once, you are likely to pick up on important notes that you otherwise would not have during the first time in class.
8. Prioritize Sleep
Sleep is arguably the most important step you can take in preparing for finals. If you are cramming for a final that you have the next day, do not pull an all-nighter. This is counterproductive because you will not recall the information you stayed up all night studying. Try to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night leading up to your exam. It will also enable you to pay attention in class and retain information quicker.
9. Take Breaks
Do not feel guilty for taking breaks, whether you want to go for a walk, read a book, or go on TikTok. Taking a break allows you to recharge; you cannot retain information without breaks. Refer to my article “How to Avoid the Sunday Scaries” to learn more about the pomodoro study method, or do a Google search. It is highly effective at increasing productivity.
10. Review Old Notes Weeks Beforehand
Reviewing old material is important for doing well on final exams. Focus on topics that you struggled with in the past and briefly review topics that you already understand. If you review old material weeks before the final exam, you will have enough time to schedule meetings with your professor to ask questions and form study groups.