Happy last week of class! Congratulations on reaching the end of the semester – that’s a huge accomplishment. Take a sec to reflect on everything that you’ve achieved this semester. You did it!
The end of the semester can be a stressful time with final exams coming up and holidays on the horizon. As exams approach, have a plan. Use your time effectively to both study and maintain your health with these strategies compiled from the Learning Center and Healthy Heels.
Identify What to Study
- Look at course materials – lecture notes, textbooks, and past exams – and identify the topics that are likely to be tested.
- Prioritize topics that you need to study based on your level of familiarity and the importance of each subject area (i.e. what percent of the exam is that content?)
- Use a ranking system (1-3) to categorize topics based on your understanding: “I don’t know,” “I sort of know,” and “I know well.”
Create a Finals Study Plan
- Determine the number of study hours needed for each exam and allocate time accordingly.
- Use tools like calendars and planners to organize study sessions and set specific goals for each subject.
- Start with the topics you need to review the most, time permitting. Be strategic in choosing which topics will require the most work and which you can more easily take from a category 1 or 2 to a 3. Remember spacing out our practice will help those unfamiliar topics stick.
- Incorporate breaks, meals, and rewards into your study plan to help with motivation, avoid burnout, and keep yourself healthy.
Study How You Study Best
- Develop a study schedule that incorporates active learning strategies, allows for breaks and includes self-care.
- Use the Pomodoro method (work for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break) to structure study sessions and incorporate regular breaks to improve your focus and memory.
- Take advantage of outdoor breaks to refresh your mind and maintain overall well-being.
Use Active Learning Strategies
- Teach the information to someone else.
- Solve problems from memory.
- Create concept maps to connect information.
- Draft (and answer!) practice test questions.
- Work with classmates in-person or via Zoom to discuss concepts.
- Retake practice exams or quizzes.
Take Care of Yourself
- Take breaks that involve a change of setting, such as going outside or to the gym, to help your mind relax and think about other things. This will help you feel refreshed and ready to work when you sit down to study next.
- If you don’t have a meal plan, try meal-prepping so that you don’t have to think about cooking every day.
- Build in time for 8 hours of sleep – this will help you to focus better during the day and be more productive.
- Listen to your body. If you feel like you are straining yourself, take a break and return in half an hour.
Support Each Other
- Support your friends too! Use study groups, peer teaching, and quizzing to improve both yours and your classmates’ learning and retention.
- If you are able, offer support to classmates by helping with tasks like proofreading essays and sharing study resources.
- Celebrate each others’ achievements and try to maintain a positive attitude. Share strategies that work for you, both for studying and self-care. You could even consider doing your daily activities with others, such as cooking or exercising.
Reach Out for Help
- If you would like support with studying for exams, reviewing your writing, or building an effective study schedule, look into the Learning Center’s resources. You can make an appointment for writing coaching, academic coaching, and peer tutoring.
Although finals can be stressful, if you come in with a good plan, you can stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Build in time for your basic needs and mental well-being – it can be easy to de-prioritize these things when we are busy or stressed. But keeping your healthy habits happening will help you crush finals and feel better while doing it. You’re almost there