IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN: EXAMS, EXAMS, & MORE EXAMS
Anousha Nikjouian
Here are eight helpful hints on how to prepare for your final exams the best way possible:
Tip 1: Start Early
Starting as soon as possible is crucial for your success and ease of mind. One way to start early is to prepare a time table before studying. Make a list of all your subjects and then prioritize them according to level of importance. Devote more time to subjects in which you are struggling with and less time for subjects that you feel more comfortable with. It is important to start this at least a week before the exam. Tip 2: Organize & Outline A Schedule If you have a planner or a calendar, use it! Begin outlining a daily schedule of topics to review. Try to cover a small amount of material for each class each day, and then do a mini-review after completing each topic. Also, begin gathering study materials in order to stay focused. Tip 3: Studying Efficiently At this point, the subjects that need to be covered are determined, as well as how much time allocation each one will need. Now, it’s time to get to it and actually study! One helpful way to study includes writing short summaries for each topic, so when you come back to review, the main points are already outlined. Also, making flashcards is another helpful technique. Flashcards can be taken anywhere and studied at any time. It is equally as important to find the proper atmosphere to study. Most students like to watch TV or listen to music; however, this can be distracting when trying to buckle down and focus. Find someplace in which you are comfortable and feel relaxed. |
Tip 4: Get Help
By starting early, students have leeway in getting help. If there are certain subjects that are not sinking in, schedule an appointment to meet with the professor. Another great thing to do to test how much knowledge you have retained is to ask friends or family to quiz you on the materials (especially helpful with flashcards). Group studying is another form of getting help. This can be useful if everyone in the group is studying for the same exam and as questions arise, students can work them out together. Tip 5: Sleep Well & Eat Well We all have heard how important sleep is but we still don’t quite get it. Sleep deprivation studies have shown that most young adults need at least six to seven hours of sleep a night to function. If you are taking a test and you haven’t gotten sufficient sleep because you pulled an all-nighter, chances are you will not be able to recall all the information you had crammed the night before. Furthermore, proper nutrition and exercise are important as well. For one, exercising can take some of the stress away as it releases endorphins into your system. Secondly, brain food can help you feel energized and able to concentrate. Some tips on what to consume as you prepare for exams include: - Fresh fruits and vegetables - Pretzels, low-fat popcorn, or whole grain crackers - Low-fat yogurt and chesses - Lots of water |
Tip 6: Stay Calm
It is recommended to arrive to the exam early and take a few moments to just breathe. Once you begin the exam, do not panic! Answer all the questions you know first and then come back to those that are harder. Keep telling yourself you are prepared and that you can do it! Tip 7: Don’t Rush Do not try and get the exam over with as soon as possible. Take your time and go through the exam slowly, making sure to read all the questions thoroughly before answering them. If you are done before the time is up, take a second look over your answers and make sure you did not skip a question by accident. Tip 8: Relax Post-Exam So the exam is over and all you can do is worry about how you did…STOP! At this point, there is no need to worry, what’s done is done. If you still have exams to come, gear your focus to those and tackle them one at a time. Good Luck and Happy Studying!
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