Study Tips For You
Reported By: Ellaynah Brown
Illustrated By: Sydney Simmons
Ready or not, finals week is just around the corner. It’s that time in the semester when classes are winding down and exams are kicking up. With everything happening all at once, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.
Not to mention, the holidays are practically here and a nice relaxing break sounds amazing. While you can’t just wish your exams away, you can be kind to yourself and start preparing for finals now.
The first thing to remember is you know this stuff. You have taken the courses, attended the classes, and done the homework, so you know the material. However, for some of us, the recall of the information is exceptionally hard under stress. Reinforcing the knowledge you have by studying well in advance can help you build the confidence and ability to implement what you have learned on the spot.
Preparing as soon as you can will only benefit you, whether your study technique is making flashcards, rereading, reviewing the lectures, or doing practice problems, start now. The more you practice the more comfortable you will be with the material. Cramming is a lot harder when you have multiple exams within a few days.
On the topic of study techniques, find out what works best for your learning style. If you are a hands-on learner, make colorful flashcards and review them until you’ve got them down. If you find that teaching is how you learn, use these flashcards and ask your friends to sit for 15 minutes while you teach them about what you have learned.
For a productive study session, it is important that distractions are limited. Turn that phone off and find a quiet place to get to work. There are plenty of places to study on campus including the library, the 24/7 space, Klages Center, academic buildings, and The Bridge Cafe. If you want to stay close to home, maybe just step out into your dorm lobby.
For maximum focus, plugging in some music can help to drown out the extra distractions. Playing some instrumental music can help to focus your mind but not take your study time away with the lyrics of your favorite songs. Lo-fi, jazz, instrumentals, classical music, and even nature sounds are all great options to help you stay focused on the work in front of you and not the things around you.
While studying on your own can be a productive time, finding a study buddy is always an option. Everyone is preparing for finals and it is likely that someone in your class might like to study with you. In working out problems together and quizzing each other on material, you are both given the opportunity to practice active learning. Additionally, if there are any aspects of the material that are unclear to you, your friend may know how to explain it to you and help you better understand.
The most important tip is to remind yourself that you’ve got this. With all of the studying and preparation, a crucial step is to give yourself grace and remember you are working hard. You deserve some rest so get to bed early, watch an episode of your favorite show and drink some hot chocolate. Finals are here but they will be over before you know it.