Kayla Sims
Staff Writer
It is the season of final exams and it can be one of the most stressful times in college students’ lives but knowing how to properly prepare for them could relieve the pressure for even the most skilled test takers.
Students tend to become intimidated when finals time comes around but keep calm. Here are five tips that can be used to prepare for finals, midterms and any other major test that you take during your college career.
The first tip of preparing for finals is to not cram the information the night before. In order to pass your finals, it is essential to study in intervals for days at a time. Cramming could cause exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and memory loss which could be detrimental to your long-term health and could be the difference between a passing or failing grade.
The second tip for passing your finals is to make a study guide based on your notes, old test and past assignments. There are some teachers that provides study guides, however in some cases that a teacher does not, reviewing old material and outlining important points will help out tremendously. Read old material out loud, listen to recordings and use memorization techniques to remember tough facts and equations.
Highlighting key terms can also help. People have different ways of retaining information. Some people are visual learners and some can record information just by listening.
The third tip is pretty simple, time management. Time management plays a huge role in the success of any student whether it’s high school or college. Prioritize not only your study time but also the time you rest, studying for finals can be a hassle and overwhelming so make sure you rest as much as you study and don’t take sleep for granted.
Time can also play a part in test taking itself especially if your finals are timed tests. Do not spend too long overthinking on one question, if you do not know the answer skip it and come back to it. That is another reason why some students do not pass their finals, simply because they did not finish it before the scheduled time frame.
The fourth tip is sometimes challenging for people, but very important. DO NOT multitask. Often times when we are studying, we tend to watch movies, listen to music or even talk on the phone while studying. Set aside a time that is used specifically for studying without distractions. Studying in peace and quiet is the most effective way to study, and most times that involves leaving your dorm room and turning off all visual and auditory distractions including your phone.
Lastly, make studying fun. Get creative with studying by finding the best way to review and retain information. Flash cards, group study sessions, and acronyms are a few ways to creatively study. Color coding information could also make studying fun as well.
Studying for finals should not be boring or feel forced, it could be entertaining. That leads to falling asleep or easily becoming sidetracked.
If you have to play soothing music while doing so, do it! There is no set way to study, it is all about what makes you comfortable and whatever to do to keep yourself interested.
Reward yourself after completing your study goals.
Following these few tips will ensure that you pass any test you take. Continue to stay positive and just make sure you do your best to finish out this semester.
Good luck to all!
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