We have three weeks of class left—eek—and finals week! Are you panicking yet? We have a few days of school around Thanksgiving and many stores are already plastered in Christmas decorations. There is so much time to get distracted by family visits, holiday dinners, and Christmas shopping. Get your mind back on school for the time being with these tips on dominating your impending finals week:
First, get out your planner. Write down important dates for tests and projects due. This will help mentally prepare yourself, and you’ll see how much time you have to get ready for everything you need to do for each class.
Find what material will be covered for each final.Cumulative semester’s worth of chapters? Keep in mind you’ll need more time to study for one of these than an exam that doesn’t cover anything before midterms. If you’re not sure, ask your professor. They appreciate questions and students who prepare. And if there is something you don’t understand, professors always have office hours. Take advantage of their time and learn how you can pass that exam without any worry.
Last minute cram sessions are not the way to go. Start studying early and really make yourself learn the material. Trying to memorize vocabulary, plots and characters and equations the night before always ends in disaster.
Find a buddy to study with, or start a study group outside of class. Talking to others about the exam material will give you insight and can help you remember it.
If you have some free time, research textbooks online at amazon.com or half.com. You probably don’t want to think about more classes already, but ordering books ahead of time can save you a bunch of money, and you’ll have enough time for the books to ship to you, so you’ll be prepared on the first day next semester.
If you have family visiting for Thanksgiving or if you are traveling for the holiday, keep in mind the times you’ll be able to study—before little cousins arrive to distract you, or perhaps early in the morning before everyone wakes up.
Shut your phone off.I’m a master at procrastination and I use my cell as a major distraction—starting lengthy text conversations while studying doesn’t make for a productive study session. I’m struggling with this habit and slowly conquering it. When it’s time to study, I silence my phone and hide it somewhere where it won’t bother me.
Organize your study area.It’s hard to prepare for exams when you can’t find that syllabus or random pages of notes are all over your desk. Take a few minutes before sitting down to work, and make sure everything you’ll need is easy to find and your desk is tidy. Physical clutter creates mental clutter.
Sleep!Since we’re all overachievers and are starting early, we have time to rest, and will continue to study consistently so we won’t be up late the night before our finals, overcaffeinated and in a panic. So relax!
After you ace your finals, give yourself a break. Have some pumpkin pie and catch up with the family. The holidays are upon us!
Photo Source: http://sylviafreedom.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/woman-studying.jpg