1. Start studying right now.
It is never too soon to start studying. Considering that some finals are comprehensive, it would not benefit you to start studying the night before the exam. I encourage everyone to start studying sooner rather than later so that you can be knowledgeable in all your subjects.
2. You must sleep no matter how much studying you must do.
To study with your whole brain, you must get enough sleep. The amount of sleep you need differs based on what your own body needs. I typically need six to eight hours of sleep if I want to have a fully functional brain. If you do not get enough sleep, you will be groggy and unable to focus on the tasks you must do.
3. Do NOT skip breakfast, even if you are not a typical breakfast eater.
Breakfast helps kick-start your brain. Especially if you have been up since 6 a.m. to resume your task of studying. You can choose a variety of options for your breakfast. You can have your classic hot breakfast of eggs, toast, and a type of meat, or you can have something like fruit, yogurt, or granola.
4. Ask older students for help.
Take advice from students who took the class before you. These students have already made it through the exam that you are going to take, so they can help you some with what might be on the test.
5. Make a schedule.
It is helpful to make a schedule of everything you must accomplish during finals week. You need to plan for meals, studying, and other activities. Planning a schedule will help you stay on task.
6. Take study breaks.
On average, you should only study for 25-30 minutes at a time. When you study this way, you retain the information you learn better. Between periods of studying you can clean your room, paint your nails, spend time with friends, or do anything so that you are not studying for hours on end with no break.
7. Group study sessions
This is especially important if one of the classes you are in has two different lecture times. It is important not only to study with students who take the class at the same time as you, but also to study with students who may take the same class an hour before or after you. Sometimes professors say one thing in one lecture but not the other and then put it on the exam.
8. Utilize online resources.
I use resources like Quizlet, an online flash card website. Quizlet also has an app for the iPhone so that you can look at your flashcard anywhere during any time. There are also resources like Khan Academy for your science and math courses. Make sure to get on the web and try to find resources that can help you.
9. Do NOT overload on caffeine.
I love coffee just as much as the next person, maybe even more than the average person. However, you do not need to operate on only caffeine during finals week. You will crash hard, especially if you start skipping meals; don’t skip meals. Drink caffeine responsibly.
