It’s almost that time of the semester everyone loves…final exam week. This is usually when everyone is wearing sweatpants, the library is packed from sunrise to sunset, and the whole campus pretty much resembles zombies. Yes, final exams are super stressful and can bring out the inner crazy in some of us, but on the bright side, it also means the holiday season is here and winter break is right around the corner. The best way to tackle finals week like a champ and ace those exams is to be prepared. Here are some great tips on how to properly study for finals.
1. Have a study group:
Studying with people you have the same class with can be beneficial. You can work on practice problems together and review solutions to make sure everyone understands the key concepts that will be on the exam. You can also go over any notes or assignments you missed from class.
2. Find a study spot:
Some people study best in the library where they have access to different resources and others like to completely isolate themselves from everything so they won’t get easily distracted. Do what works best for you. If you don’t mind being surrounded by people, some great study spots around campus with free WiFi are Caribou Coffee and Starbucks.
3. Snacks on snacks on snacks:
This is probably the best thing about studying for finals. All the yummy snacks you can eat in between study breaks. Don’t settle for unhealthy choices like chips and pop. Try packing healthier alternatives like trail mix or granola bars to help you concentrate. Coffee and energy drinks are always good too for those countless hours staring at your laptop screen and shuffling through textbooks.
4. Don’t cram or procrastinate:
Instead of waiting the day before your exam to start studying, start ahead of time. Organize each study day with what subjects you’ll study for. Your brain will remember key concepts the more it is exposed to them. If your exam is on Thursday instead of staying up all Wednesday night start studying for that final on Tuesday and build on from there. Cramming and overloading your brain with too much information can become stressful and result in not remembering important concepts.
5. Have a study break:
If you’ve been studying nonstop for hours, it’s best to take a study break. This means doing anything you can to get those classes out of your mind. Some people like to watch tv or go to the gym for a nice workout. Whatever frees your mind and relieves stress, do it. Study breaks are essential to performing well on exams.
6. Get plenty of sleep:
This is most important when it comes to finals week. Not only does your brain need to rest, but your body does too. Finals are stressful, tiring, and pretty much drain out most of our energy. Making sure you get enough sleep each night during finals week should be your top priority. You won’t doze off as much when you are studying and come final exam time, you will have energy to ace your exams!