In order for me to thoroughly study information, I have found that I learn better by taking note of everything the professor says will be on the test or if it’s something he says I’ll “need to know”. Then, I’ll look up the answers to all those key terms and concepts and create a simplified study guide with all the information I need. I find it helpful in my review process to write down information, so creating a study guide has been good for me. After that, I read through the information; sometimes aloud to better comprehend it all.
This is just one way I prepare for final exams. But what about the other stuff? Does eating healthy, sleeping eight hours a night and relaxation really work? Ladies from all over the country are preparing for their finals as we speak and some of their tactics might surprise you. For example, one Yale student carries peanuts with her.
“I always keep a huge stash of peanuts with me when I am stuck in the library for hours studying,” said Jackie Manzer of Yale University. Really, any nut would do the trick. First of all, they’re a natural source of energy. Second, they’re a healthy snack and tend to keep me away from the empty calories that fill the nearby vending machines late at night”.
Another way to do well on your exams is to be healthy while doing them. Staying up late by squeezing in those all-night study sessions can take a toll on your body and your health. Asya Bashina, a student from Brandeis University, believes that it’s good to take frequent study breaks and to eat well.
“I find that making a good playlist often makes studying more bearable,” said Bashina. “It’s also good to study with a group of friends who are studious and do not pose as a distraction. Try to eat healthy, balanced meals during finals periods. The last thing you want is to get sick during finals. It’s good to treat yourself, however, since you’ll be working so diligently”.
She also suggests an organized plan of study, something that I, myself, have found helpful during this time.
“As far as studying goes, it would be to your benefit to create an itemized schedule and plan in blocks of time. (For example) Study for Economics for two hours, write the Anthropology paper for 1 hour, etc.” said Bashina.
Giving yourself an allotted amount of time will prevent you from getting stressed. Try to space out your work load and make it a goal to accomplish everything on your to-do list for the day. Then the pressure will be off you when you go home to relax or to hang out with friends later that night. Besides, the last thing you want to do is become isolated from socialization, right?
Studying isn’t just your memorization skills at work. All five of your senses come into play and can help stimulate brain activity. Just ask Lauren Conrad from the University of Kentucky.
“I always carry peppermint lip gloss and Trident Peppermint White gum with me when I take an exam,” said Conrad. “Smelling peppermint helps stimulate your memory. I am a good student, so I guess it’s working!”
The number one tip is to stay relaxed. It’s been scientifically proven that when you become stressed, your ability to recall information weakens. In the book Who Switched Off My Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf, she gave the reasoning behind why your mind seems to go blank when taking a test.
When the cortisol level increases because of stress and flows in excess quantities through the brain, it causes memories to temporarily shrink, so you are unable to access particular memories. Have you ever taken an exam and gone completely blank? Then, when you calmed down and your systems returned to normal, you suddenly remembered all that you had studied? This happened because the stress chemicals subsided and the memories literally plumped up, giving you access to them again.1
Keep these tips in mind as you prepare for your final exams. Ladies, just remember to keep calm, study hard, rest assured that it will all be over in a week!
1. Leaf, Dr. Caroline. (2009). Who Turned Off My Brain. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Pg.32.