With finals week fast approaching, you may be stuck with how to study or prep for those dreaded exams. No one ever wants to study, but the best way to ace the exams is to get a head start. Whether your professor decides to do a huge cumulative exam or a small chapter test or maybe even a group project (ewwww), here are just a few tips on how to do your best this finals season.
1. Get a Head Start
The earlier you can start studying, the better. It’s never good to cram study two days before. Review in small chunks. This way, you have a better chance of remembering things you’ve learned and get the help you need sooner, rather than frantically emailing a professor at 10 pm the night before an exam.
2. Ask Questions
If you start reviewing earlier, you also gain the opportunity to ask a professor as you go. You get the help earlier and you may end up asking a question that benefits everyone else in the class. This helps reinforce your knowledge on the topic and you’re more likely to remember it for the exam later.
3. Rewrite Your Notes
It’s always been said that handwritten notes are better than digital ones. There’s a connection that happens when you put pen to paper. Even rewriting previous class’s notes can be helpful. You may have missed key details in class, which allows you to ask about what you missed. It may also make them slightly easier to read, since we have all had those moments where we read what we just wrote and think “what does that even say?!”
4. Sleep Well, Eat Well, Test Well
Getting a full night’s rest is crucial during finals week. This allows your brain and body to rest in order to retain that information that it just learned. Eating well is also super important. Fresh fruit and veggies will give your body the boost it needs to stay alert and focused during your exam. Maybe a little coffee won’t hurt, but make sure to eat right before your exam and you’ll thank your body later!
5. Take Breaks
One of the other best study tools is to study in shifts. Studying 20-30 minutes at a time lets you rest from what you just learned and doesn’t put your head into overdrive. Studying in shifts gives you that little 10 minute break in between to rest and retain the information you learned. Also one of the best times for a snack break!
6. Just Relax
The last thing we want to do during the busiest week of the year is to burn out. One of the best ways to do so is just relax. Have a movie night with friends, go out to dinner, or even just nap. That way, you can take yourself away from the books and spend a few hours doing something else.
This is one of the craziest times of the year. You may feel overwhelmed or just don’t know where to start. Hopefully, some of these tips will help guide you while studying. Remember, it’s just one week. You’ll get through it and be able to enjoy break with family and friends.
Good luck, and happy studying!