How do I … study for finals…
At this point in the semester, your heart is racing, your blood is boiling, and your pupils have dilated. Your body is in the middle of a fight or flight event. Internally, your mind is screaming out: THE END IS NEAR! Congratulations Scholars, we have made it to the critical point of the semester. AFTER finals we are free to roam the myriad of pleasures this life has to offer. But how do we focus on finals when every heartbeat is for the possibilities and adventures of winter break? This is a mini guidebook for how to get through the last two weeks leading up to finals.
Having just come out of break, my brain is very much still in ‘break mode.’ I have found that going to class and actively participating helps set my brain in that ‘back-to-school’ mentality. It can be very tempting to skip classes that don’t have participation credit or whose participation requirement you’ve already fulfilled. However, failing to attend classes WILL make you fall behind. This is the case for social sciences, math, humanities, as well as natural sciences classes.
- Break free from the sweet shackles of fall break memories by attending class
I find that making checklists and study schedules can be fairly helpful. The two can be combined to produce the optimal plan for finals. Start a plan now to avoid cramming in two weeks! Study schedules are made by prioritizing what’s important in ascending order (what’s important goes on the top, what isn’t goes at the bottom). But what is important? Well, what have you been struggling to understand this semester, what are the difficult concepts of the course? If memorization isn’t your strong suit, like me, what subjects are more memory-based than others? Later material (not covered in previous midterms) usually constitutes more of the final, is that the case for your course? Assessing what is of importance and what isn’t goes back to you and your needs. The questions above can be used to guide your assessment. When creating the schedule: create a realistic one. Be honest with yourself. Can you truly finish 200 pages of Neuroscience readings in one day? (I’m calling myself out with this one.)
- Compose a realistic study schedule…
This schedule must also include time for you to relax. Avoid staring at a computer for hours on end. Move. Your. Body. Exercise! A pedagogy class I am taking this semester greatly emphasized the importance of not neglecting our body’s needs for exercise, nutrition and hygiene while focusing on studies. Your brain will fight against concentrating if those needs are not met.
- that incorporates breaks!
Last, but not least and my biggest motivator: do you want to look back and think to yourself I could’ve done better if I planned out my schedule wisely. No! So, start now!