With the end of the semester in sight and the temptation of the holiday season nearing, it's really hard to lose track of time with everything going on. I know lately for me the hours in the day seem more limited than they already are, so here's some tips on how to study and stay on track as finals week gets closer and closer.
1. Put yourself in a good studying environment
It's getting cold out and studying underneath the blanket on you couch sounds so much better than heading all the way to the library where you're not even sure if you'll actually find a seat. But really, it's not. There are so many distractions that may be happening around you from roommates coming and going, the tv blaring or the sounds of traffic outside that may not be helpful to you when you're trying to get work done. Instead, maybe go to the library or go to a cafe on campus or near your housing where you can sit down and get to work. Because I'll be the first to admit, I regret waiting until the last minute and then cramming the night before.
Also, don't go to study with friends unless you both know that you're going to be able to get stuff done because odds are once you get there, it'll take about 30 minutes to get started.
2. Shut your phone off or restrict your ability to wander from your work
I know when I am studying, especially on my computer, it's really easy to get distracted by social media or my phone constantly buzzing. I find it really useful to use website like https://getcoldturkey.com or https://selfcontrolapp.com. Now the only downfall with these is that you do have to download the application, but trust me it's very useful in the long run. Or when I'm in the library studying I also make a note to either turn my phone completely off or onto airplane mode so that the messages and notifications aren't coming in and then therefore I am not distracted by them.
3. Set a study schedule
I'm definitely a list kind of person, so when trying to study I find this very useful. I like making a "to-do" list of sorts before I jump into studying so I can keep myself on track and once I'm done something on the list, I feel so accomplished because I'm that much closer to being done entirely.
It's also good to allot yourself specific times for certain subjects so that you're not spending too much time on one thing and then not enough on another.
A studying check list would also be good to add under this category. Kind of like a "don't forget" list to check before you leave to study.
For example: Don't forget to bring your backpack, gum, snacks, a phone charger, headphones, your laptop charger, a water bottle, pens and pencils, and all the other things you'll need to study.
4. Color code things
Again, this style goes along very well with how I study and may not work for everyone. I find this very useful especially if I'm learning vocabulary of any kind because the colors separate the words from their definitions and makes it a lot easier to remember.
Doing this is also a good way to stay on track and stay organize. Especially when some classes and projects may run into each other, it helps to distinguish which assignment is due when.
5. Make notecards
This is a really good thing to do especially when trying to memorize vocabulary, quick facts or quick concepts. Or, if you don't want to make physical notecards, using either the Quizlet app on website is definitely a good idea.
Here's the link for the Quizlet website: https://quizlet.com
6. Wherever you study, bring snacks
Yes I briefly mentioned this above but food is the one of the greatest things in the world, plus a great companion when studying. Bringing snacks is also a good idea when studying because then you're not tempted to go down to the cafe or a vending machine to get some. This way you'll be able to stay focused and on track so that you can finish everything you need to get done.
7. Always make sure to get enough sleep
Just because it's almost finals week and you have so much to study for, does not mean you need to sacrifice your sleep. Yes, you may not get your full 8 to 10 hours, but don't stay up to the wee hours of the night just to cram.
Getting a good nights sleep will help in the long run, because you don't want to be falling asleep during the test won't be better because then you really won't get all the points you need on the exam.
8. Move around once in a while
And I don't mean switch positions in your chair. Get up, stretch and walk around every hour or 2. It'll help clear your mind a bit, help you relax and get focused again. It'll also help to get your legs moving because if you're like me, after a few hours stationary in a chair they start to hurt, a lot.
Whether it's a week before or the night before, hopefully some of these tips can help you during this semesters finals week. Good luck, and may you pass all of your exams!
