Study Tips for Finals Week After a long semester of papers, classes, and studying, finals can seem like the last real overwhelming task before a much deserved break. And that’s exactly what it is. The most wonderful, and perhaps only wonderful, thing about finals week is that it is the last hurrah of a semester, and once it is successfully completed, you can take a break, breathe easy, and have fun. With that in mind, studying for finals can be a slightly more enjoyable task, or at least you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Things to Keep in Mind When studying for an exam, there are many things to keep in mind. Studying for hours on end without taking a break may seem like an effective studying method, but it tends to lead to distracted and ineffective studiers. On the other hand, excessive breaks with little to no studying in-between are also not very useful. Learning to balance study and breaks is imperative to studying effectively and doing well on exams. Effective breaks can be used to relax, rejuvenate, and refocus your attention on the task at hand. Another important part of effective studying—whether it be for and English, Math, or Computer Science degree— is to learn what type of studying works best for you, and what environment most inspires you to study well.
Learning Strategies Each person has their own most effective manner of study, and the best way to figure out yours is to try a lot of different approaches. Try studying in many different places, the library, a café, a friend’s house, or in your own apartment. If one of these ways is particularly effective, use that one, or if you like the variety, maybe it is best for you to switch it up. It is also important to try studying in many different ways—if you are studying for a math test, is it easier for you to try several similar questions before moving on to a new topic? Or is it more effective for you to switch it up and to consistently try new and different things? Does studying alone work best for you? Or studying in a group with others in your same class? Or is it most effective for you to study around other people, but not collaboratively? Learning who it is best to study with is a great way to stay focused.
Distractions Help or Hindrance Also, discovering whether distraction is a help or a hindrance to your study can be really useful. Do you work better in a quiet room? Or do you study better in a room with music or talking? Answering these kinds of questions, and experimenting can help you to study to the best of your ability. Whether you are studying for a business degree, preparing for a career in business management, or preparing for a property management degree, or even a degree in physics, history, or education, studying effectively for finals will help you to do the best possible work. Find what works best for you, and do it. You won’t be disappointed. Photo Credit: danjaeger , michaelaw