Studying for Final Exams
Make a study plan
Making
an effective and realistic study plan is a vital component of doing well in
your finals. By planning out your study, you can ensure that you will have all
the necessary materials covered by the time the exams roll around, thus
minimizing stress and maximizing productivity. Here are some things you will
need to consider:
Create
a time chart of your current activities
Factor
in classes, work, time spent with family and friends, etc. This will allow you
to see how much free time you have available for study.
Develop
a study schedule that works with your timetable
Use
time between classes, commute time and any other free time to slot in some
extra study. Keep in mind that an hour of study every day will be more
productive than a 5-hour block once a week.
Determine
your study goals
You
shouldn’t just write vague guidelines like “study biology” — your
study plan needs to be specific. Break down your study material into specific
topics and tasks and fill these into your study schedule. Give 20-minute slots
to small, bite-size chunks of information and commit to the idea that you will
know that information inside out by the end of those 20 minutes.
Stick
to your schedule
A
study schedule is no good if you don’t stick to it. That’s why it needs to be
realistic. Factor in breaks and potential distractions when planning, so there
will be no excuses when the time comes. If it helps, think of the study
schedule like a job. You have no option but to do it. Consider that studying
for a certain subject might take longer than you thought, so put in some extra
time into your schedule.