Exam season is full of stress and anticipation which can make it a challenge to perform your best. It is necessary to manage your stress which, “…can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain,” according to the World Health Organization. A little bit of stress is good because it can motivate an individual to perform his or her best but too much stress can be harmful to your mental and physical health. Even though it can be tempting to solely focus on achieving high scores on exams, we all need to remember to prioritize our well-being. Here are 13 exams season tips that will help you get your desired score in a healthy, positive manner:
1. Set realistic goals
With less than a month until we take our final fall semester exams, begin to set goals. Setting goals is so important as it will help you stay focused, keep you motivated and will make you feel accomplished. There is nothing like the satisfying feeling of checking something else off your goal list. Remember, it is only good to set achievable goals during this stressful time, such as study time and concept goals for the days leading up to the exam.
2. Organize your work in a detailed schedule
It is extremely beneficial to outline what you will need to know for each exam. I like to make outlines for all of my exams before I begin to study so I do not miss any exam content. I carve out time in my days to focus on one concept, chapter or unit. It is best to study a little at a time to retain the most information. Don’t forget to also schedule non-studying activities in your schedule so you do not get burned out.
3. Pay close attention in class
At this time of the year, we no longer have much more class time, but it is essential to attend these last few hours in the classroom with your professor. Do not skip these classes to study. Professors give hints for the exam, study tips and clarify concepts in the last few classes of the semester. Take notes and listen.
4. Communicate with professors
If you are confused or want to clarify anything, then talk to your professors. They are here to help and want to make sure that we succeed. Go to their office hours or set up a one-on-one meeting to go over what you would like to know. You are not wasting their time.
5. Study in advance
Cramming is never a successful way to study. Spacing out your studying is crucial to high performance on final exams. Some final exams include work from the first day of class, so it is helpful to begin studying earlier than you think. I like to break my studying up and review unit by unit two weeks before each exam. This helps me understand both the big and small concepts and gives me plenty of time to ask professors for help. We are also given review days so use that time to ask questions, study with peers and reread notes.
6. Find a good study spot
Studying for finals takes up a lot of time, so finding a good place to do all of that is really valuable. I like studying in Newell Hall, the third floor of Library West, in the Reitz Union and in Norman Hall. It is good to find a spot that is quiet, has few distractions and where you can focus.
7. Take advantage of study help
If it weren’t for Study Edge, I don’t know how I would pass statistics. Even though it can be costly to subscribe to these tutoring and extra help services, they are lifesavers. Study Edge and Smokin’ Notes are two tutoring services that I have used while at UF, and both have really helped me grasp the material. It can be helpful to learn from someone else besides the professor. They have nice note packets, practice exams and extra problems that can help you master the class.
8. Take breaks
Taking breaks helps you retain all of the relearned information. It is unhealthy to spend 12 hours staring at your textbooks and laptop. You will not remember everything when you don’t take a moment to relax.
9. Exercise
Physical exercise is super beneficial to our physical and mental health. According to Harvard Health, consistent exercise can boost memory, prevent depression, lower the risk of getting a stroke, diabetes or heart disease and can help one lose weight. A study from the University of British Columbia concluded that consistent aerobic exercise can enhance the size of our hippocampus, the part of our brain in charge of verbal memory and learning (Godman, 2014). Make time in your day to get some exercise to improve your brain function and retention of the million facts you’ll need to know for your exams.
10. Sleep well and take care of yourself
Sleep is critical to our well-being. It is not healthy to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam. While we sleep, our brain acquires (gains), consolidates (stabilizes) and recalls (remembers) the information we review during the day, according to Harvard Healthy Sleep. If we don’t take the time to prioritize our health, stress levels increase and performance decreases.
11. Reward yourself
We work so hard during exams season, so we deserve a reward. These rewards can really be anything. It is positive to acknowledge our efforts and work during this stressful time. If you are interested in a sweet treat to reward yourself, check out “The Top Five Best Gainesville Sweet Study Treats”.
12. Do not constantly put your grades into a final grade calculator
While it is nice to know an estimated score needed for a desired final grade, constantly checking a final grade calculator is stressful. Most of the time, at this point in the year, there is not much else we can do to change the final grade. This can feel defeating and cause people to want to give up. Remember that any grade is possible on a final exam. If one puts in the work to master the material, success will follow.
13. All you can do is try your best
I always put a lot of pressure on myself to get the best grades which can be unhealthy and unrealistic. Now that we are in college, school is a lot harder. It is no longer high school where we can spend little time studying and receive an A. Remind yourself while studying during finals season that all you can do is try your best. Try your best to study hard and retain the information, try your best to communicate with your professors and clarify any confusion and try your best to prioritize your well-being and health.
Exam season is always dreaded due to the overwhelming amount of stress around performance. One grade will not change your entire future. We will all take hundreds of exams in our lives, and we can’t let them take over. With these 13 tips, I hope that you all have the most successful exam season with little stress and lots of confidence.