Six Study Tips to Help You Tackle Finals Week

Tip 1: Plan and Prioritize

• Get ahead of the game. If you haven’t already, start studying now! Procrastination eats away at your study time and will only increase your stress
• Make a study schedule to help map out everything you need to review and determine exactly how much time you anticipate needing to study. Be sure to give yourself extra time for classes or chapters that will be particularly challenging.
• Prioritize your study time by sorting class materials into one of three categories:
  • This will definitely be on the exam
  • This is very likely to be on the exam
  • This only has a possibility of being on the exam

Tip 2: Form a study group

• Work together with friends or peers from your classes. Studying together can give you different perspectives of the material, help you work through tough concepts and compare notes in case you missed anything.
• Working with others can help keep you accountable for your study schedule. You’re less likely to procrastinate when you schedule a study session with other people versus planning to study alone in your dorm
• One of the best ways to remember something is to teach it to someone else. Take turns “teaching” each other the material, quiz each other and ensure you each have a full understanding of the topics

Tip 3: Get creative

• Test out different studying methods and tools to see what works best for you. Everyone studies and retains information differently. For some, flashcards work best. For others, creating a mnemonic device is the easiest way. Some people need to approach the material in a creative way, such as writing a song about it. If focus is the issue, you might find some type of reward system helps you stay motivated, such as eating a gummy bear each time you finish reading a page of the textbook.
• After determining what works best for you, don’t be afraid to try other methods as well. Sometimes a combination of methods and tools is the best way to keep your brain engaged in the material. After reading the textbook, make flashcards of the key points. After quizzing yourself, teach the material to a friend. 

Tip 4: Don’t forget to rest

• As your finals approach and the amount of time left for studying gets smaller and smaller, you may be tempted to give up some sleep to spend more time studying. This decision, however, can hurt more than it helps. Not getting sleep can increase your stress, decrease your ability to focus and make it much harder for you to retain information.
  • Similarly, taking breaks is very important when studying. Your brain is a muscle, and just like every other muscle in your body, it needs time to rest and recharge. When you take breaks, your studying become more effective because your brain will be better able to focus and retain information when it’s rested. Take 20 minutes to sit on the Quad, stop by Levin for a snack or just sit outside and Touch Grass ™. 

Tip 5: Get rid of distractions

• When preparing to study, be sure to remove as many distractions as possible from your environment and be honest with yourself about what this looks like. If you can’t focus with noise, head to Krauskopf Library for a quiet space. If you think your phone will distract you, put it on Do Not Disturb or leave it in your dorm while you study. If you need some sound, put headphone on and listen to music. Classical, while not everyone’s cup of tea, has been shown to boost productivity and increase focus.

Tip 6: Take a breath and take that first step

• Finals are stressful and can be daunting. Sometimes that stress makes it difficult to even begin studying. If you’re not sure where to start, pick the first class you have your first final for and start from the beginning of the material. Once you get going, the rest of the process becomes much easier.
• There are also several resources on campus to help you prepare
  • Krauskopf Library
    • Resource searching
    • Help direct you to the study area that best suits your preferred studying environment
    • Research guides and consultations
    • Help evaluating reliable resources
  • Student Support – Segal Hall
    • Meet with an advisor to help establish/improve study habits
    • Connect you with tutors
    • Provide general support through your academic journey
  • Writing Center – Miller Hall
    • Help with any stage of writing from choosing a topic to peer reviewing your final copy of a paper
  • Counseling Services – Elson Hall
    • Receive support in dealing with the stress and pressure of the end of the semester with counseling sessions