With the end of the semester on the horizon, it’s time to start studying for finals. Here are some pro tips on how to study right and ace your final exams.
With the end of the semester on the horizon, it’s time to start preparing for finals.
One day just isn’t going to cut it if you want to ace those exams. You have to take your time and start as soon as possible. Crushing it on your finals is going to take some forethought and determination.
You can do this!
This guide will show you how to ace your final exams. It’s all the advice you were looking for in once place.
Let’s jump right in.
Spend a Little Time Every Day Studying
Avoid cramming at all costs.
It doesn’t help you retain information. Your brain can’t hold it all in when it’s being overloaded, so you need to take your time.
Start early, create a study schedule, and stick to it.
When you study over a longer period of time — think weeks instead of days — you are able to retain information much better. If you try to learn everything the night before the test, you’ll inevitably forget most of it.
Studying slow will not only help you remember information, but it will also save you from overworking yourself. As you will see below, rest is crucial for exam prep.
Just take a deep breath and don’t let the impending exam get the best of you. Instead, take your time and really get to know the material. You’ll be surprised how much you can recall on test day.
That high grade will be undeniable proof of it.
Change Where Your Study
Boredom is a surefire way to kill your momentum.
It causes your mind to wander, and you end up skimming without really reading. To keep your head in the game, try studying in a new spot every day.
Mixing it up is a good way to stay engaged. Alternating your study spots stimulates your brain and keeps you focused.
Pick places to study that are quiet and free from distractions.
Try switching between your dorm room, the library, and a nice sunny spot outside. Make sure you aren’t nodding off on top of your textbooks or drooling on your notes.
If you start smearing ink, you’ll really have a hard time studying.
Change How You Study
Sometimes, how you go about studying is more important than how much you study.
Different people find different studying techniques helpful. If simply reviewing your notes or skimming book chapters isn’t for you, try changing it up.
If visual learning is more your style, try some videos.
YouTube can be a big time-waster, but it can also help you in your study efforts. It might be easier for you to remember things that you watched in a video.
(Just make sure only to watch videos related to the subject you’re studying.)
You can also ask someone else to help you out so you’re not studying all on your own.
Try teaching a friend or family member what you’ve learned. Putting the topic in your own words will help you retain the information a lot better than just reading it.
Explaining the subject will show you how well you actually know it.
Once you’re comfortable talking about one subject, you’ll be able to confidently move on and review something else.
Take Plenty of Breaks
It may seem counterproductive, but breaks are extremely important to the studying process. They relieve stress and keep your brain fresh.
Make sure you take a break every 45–50 minutes.
Calm your nerves by getting away from studying for a while. Get up and stretch your muscles, go for a relaxing walk, or spend some time meditating.
Eat a healthy snack to keep yourself energized.
Not every break has to be short, either. You can spend some time doing something you really enjoy. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show or a few funny videos to keep your mood on the lighter side.
The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll prepare.
Don’t stress yourself out by spending every minute of every day studying. That’ll only lead to burnout, which is the last thing you need before finals.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is important all the time, but especially the night before your exam.
The day before your final, wake up early so you won’t struggle to fall asleep come bedtime. You want to get at least 6 hours of sleep, but 8–10 hours would be even better.
Stop studying an hour or so before you want to go to bed.
You want to give your brain time to chill out and unwind so that you can fall asleep easier. Try doing something that relaxes you leading up to bedtime. Read a book, take a shower, or go for a walk to get yourself ready to sleep.
Before you get into bed, prepare everything you need for the exam. That way, you won’t feel rushed in the morning.
Nothing is more important than being well-rested as you head into your exam.
In Conclusion
There are plenty of things you can do to prepare for final exams. All-nighters and cramming just aren’t the way.
If you really want to get that A+, you need to take your time. Study over a longer period and study the way that works for you. If you know something helps you retain information, like watching videos or talking to someone else about it, then do it that way.
Author Bio:
Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. He has over ten years of experience in the conventional housing industry and works with The Proper to help them with their marketing efforts.
Ryan Sundling is a Group Marketing Manager at Cardinal Group Management. He has over ten years of experience in the conventional housing industry and works with The Proper, a student apartment complex near University of Houston, to help them with their marketing efforts.
