Finals can seem very daunting, especially if it’s your first time taking them. However, there are many ways to successfully prepare!
WHEN TO STUDY
The first step is to start early and do NOT wait until the day before to start studying for an exam. Many finals are cumulative so you’ll need a lot of time to review everything from the semester.
HOW TO STUDY
Many students find it helpful to create their own study guide. This forces you to go over all the material and decide what is most important to outline and reference for the final. If you need visual stimulation, color coding the study guide can be helpful too.
Create and prioritize a study schedule to help you organize how and when you study to get the most out of your sessions. You should also decide which classes need more attention since they are not likely to be equally difficult. While studying, make sure to take breaks and don’t study any one thing for an extended period of time.
Another helpful way to study is quizzing yourself. You can do this with hand-written flashcards or creating a quizlet.
REVIEW SESSIONS
Attend the review sessions, ask questions, and meet with the professor or TA to help you review and consult with the experts on topics that will be on the final. Meeting with peers and teaching them the materials is also very beneficial to seeing what you understand and what you need to review again.
WHERE TO STUDY
While we are always huge proponents of the Commuter Center, we know it isn't always 100% conducive to studying. The Student Life Blog just published their Top 7 Finals Study Spots on or around campus. Check it out!
DAY OF THE EXAM
Make sure to get enough sleep the night before the final and eat a good breakfast. Good luck!
