Finals certainly snuck up on me this year. Last week I had about 3 major projects due and 2 papers as well (#ProcrastinateMuch?). When the weekend came, I took a huge sigh of relief. And then I realized that I only had one week to go before finals.
I've certainly been spreading myself too thin, lately; doing a little bit of homework, a tiny portion of a project, a few blog posts, etc. I put so much pressure on myself to be extremely involved in everything that I end up doing the bare minimum in every aspect of my life. That's not right. So, with finals right around the corner, I want to put the majority of my focus on getting my school work done and acing those finals.
Follow these 10 easy steps to ace finals without losing your mind:
#1. Plan, Plan, Plan, and Stick to it!
This semester being an exception, I always create my plan of attack at least three weeks before finals. This involves my planner (complete with 3 different kinds of tabs, hundreds of sticky notes, and note cards paper-clipped inside), an oversized monthly desk calendar, and about 100 additional colorful sticky notes. I've found that focusing on one chapter of each subject a day works best, but if you are more cramped for time, focus on previous tests, and put more emphasis on what you have been learning recently. You can't study for your math classes the same way you do your English classes, so know that it's okay to branch out and try new ways of studying. If you are looking for a new strategy, try this website. They break down college study strategies by subject and have some really great ideas!
#2. Study in Groups
You have to be careful with this one. If you surround yourself with people who "want to do well" but end up roping you into watching TV or going shopping, then it will hurt you. Try to find people to study with that are smarter than you, or are better at some aspect of the class that's not really clicking for you. It's okay if these aren't the people you normally hang out with. In fact, it's better if you don't study with the people you normally hang out with, because this will cause you to fall into your normal routine of just hanging out. Plus, it's harder to back out of studying when there are other people involved.
#3. Take Study Breaks
This is extremely important in making sure you don't lose your mind. A good way to manage your time is to study for an hour and then spend about 10 minutes on a break. Don't fall into the trap of the internet. Countless precious study minutes have been wasted on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and other websites. Some good break ideas would be to eat a healthy snack, take a quick walk around campus, or paint your nails. Remember, the idea is to get you away from your textbooks and your computer screen. Twenty minutes of cardio a day is said to improve memory, so get out there and move around!
#4. Don't Worry About How You Look
I mean it! Honestly, most people will be too worried about their own finals to take much notice in what you choose to wear, anyway. Dress comfortably and simply. Pearl earrings can go a long way in dressing up a simple outfit so that you still look put together and classy. Think about it this way, the less time you spend on getting yourself ready, the more time you can devote to sleeping, or more importantly, studying! An extra ten minutes in the morning may be just enough time to review your flashcards once more before the exam.
#5. Take it One Subject at a Time
Don't have five different intimidating textbooks out on your desk at the same time. Trust me, you will not absorb the information through osmosis just because the book is next to you. Even though it won't feel like it, every time it is in your field of vision, you are devoting a portion of your precious time to worrying about that subject. So, if you're not studying that subject at this time, cover it up and get it out of your sight!
#6. Get Lots of Seep
If you are tired when you sit down to take your final, you will not do nearly as well as you could have. I'll admit, that when someone boasts that they "haven't slept in 3 days" because they were "up all night studying", it might seem like they are more dedicated to getting an A on the final, but trust me, an alert brain is a happy brain! And sure, coffee will help, but the buzz you get from your $5 Starbucks latte can't compare to what you are capable of when you are fully rested. Plus, studies show that when you study right before you go to sleep, you remember the information better. So give in and take power naps!
#7. Meet with Your Professor Outside of Class
Go to office hours! I've heard many a professor say that "it's much harder to fail a student that you know." If they recognize you and know your name, they may be more lenient in grading your exam, especially if they give partial credit, there is an essay, or if there are short answer questions. Plus, this is a great way to get any questions you may have about the material covered on the exam explained. Your Professor is the one who made the exam, so they may even be able to answer questions or give you hints that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else!
#8. Listen to Music with no Words
This one might seem weird, but when you are studying while listening to the latest hits, at least a portion of your brain is focused on the lyrics. The best way to put 100% of your focus on the information you are studying, is listening to classical music from composers like Mozart. Studies show that music with 60 beats per minute (bpm) aid in the retention of information. Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D has shown to not only relax, but to improve test scores. Take a listen!
#9. Prioritize
This is especially important if you are pressed for time. Classes that are worth more credits should be a priority, because if you get a lower grade in them, it will lower your GPA more considerably than a 1 credit class. Focus on the basics and the big ideas. Even if you don't have all the details, it's easier to fake it when you can bring it back to the big picture idea.
#10. Embrace the Challenge
Don't just take finals to be done with the semester. Walk into that final like you own the place. You've worked hard! Now all you need to do is transfer that knowledge onto a piece (or pieces) of paper. When you sit down in your chair, don't worry about if you studied enough or if you forgot to study something. That's done and the time for that is past. At the moment you pick up the pencil, you know what you know, and nothing will change that. Just do the best that you can with the knowledge that you have acquired throughout the semester.
Good luck with finals!
xoxoxo
The Girl in the Argyle Sweater
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