Everyone has their own way of studying for exams and finals. There is no “right” way to study for finals, but here at CampusByte we have some tips to keep you on the right track once finals roll around.
1. Schedule – First things first. Sit down and make a detailed schedule for finals week. Include EVERYTHING. Schedule study times, sleep, food, exercise, study breaks, group study, office hours and anything else you might have during the week. Once you set a schedule, stick to it.
2. Environment – Choose your study environment carefully. Many students are under the impression that they can study anywhere and achieve the same results. This could be true for some, but many students need to break away from the norm to be productive. For example, the local coffee shop is not always a great place to study. Try to study in a location that is free of distractions, well lit, comfortable, with plenty of space for your books, laptop, etc.
3. Stay Positive – The worst part about finals week is the mental and physical stress that comes with the pressure to do well. Reminding yourself that this stress is temporary will help you stay positive. Try to relax during your study breaks. Watch your favorite TV show, go for a walk, take a bath instead of a shower, anything helps during this time of stress. Check out this self motivation video if things get out of hand: Self Motivation Video – Go Do It
4. Procrastination – If you get off schedule or put off studying till “later” you are going to end up cramming for your exams. This is not a productive style of studying even though many students choose cramming each semester. Pulling an all-nighter will not help you make the grade you need. Use the “STING” method of study if you are having issues with procrastination. CampusByte – Addressing Procrastination: The “STING” Method.
5. Sleep – I cannot stress how important sleep is to studying. Science Daily reports that “If you ever argued with your mother when she told you to get some sleep after studying for an exam instead of pulling an all-nighter, you owe her an apology, because it turns out she’s right. And now, scientists are beginning to understand why.” Check out the entire article here: Science Daily – “Why Sleep Is Needed To Form Memories”.
6. Caffeine – Contrary to popular belief, studying with caffeine might be counter productive. According to Madhu Gadia, a registered dietitian at the McFarland Clinic, “The most common side effect is simply that students lose concentration.” Instead of relying on caffeine or study drugs, get plenty of sleep and study without distractions. Check out the caffeine article here: Iowa State Daily – “Does caffeine aid studying?”
If you still have questions about studying for finals, check out these videos from MonkeySee.com. Amanda Medders, owner of Tri-Ed Tutoring, has several excellent videos about studying. Check out all the videos here: MonkeySee.com – How to study for finals
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This is my first experience with CAMPUSBYTE. Thanks for the intro.
Hope to see you again.
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