With final exam week coming up, it's so easy to be stressed and feeling like your drowning in information you'll never learn. Don't do that! Don't freak out. It's all really going to be okay, and if you need help studying for that dreaded week, I have prepared a list of studying methods to help. As a an academic advocate and A student who MUST study in order to do well on anything, I've come up with some good tools for you to test out and see what works for you. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope these tools aid your studying!
1. Ask your professor
There is nothing wrong with asking your professor to explain a concept or give you more information on a topic. There is nothing wrong with that, and if you don't want to do it during class with the audience, try after class or during office hours. If you don't ask, you won't know.
2. Review during office hours
This can be a little out of the box for some people, but it can also be the best idea too. Your professor's office hours are meant for you to come in and ask them questions. During preparation for finals, you can come in and review the material with your professor. It makes perfect sense because they're the one's writing the exam in the first place. They know what you need to know and what you don't. Sure, it could be a bit awkward, but as long as you keep reviewing, asking questions, and discussing the material, there will be easy conversation. Plus, no one says you have to stay there for a half hour or whatever. It's as long as you need or can take. At the very least, showing up and reviewing with the professor will show your dedication and the work you put into preparation for the exam, which could give you an advantage when he or she is grading.
3. Study groups
I'm personally not a big fan of study groups, but they have their benefits. If you need help and don't want to contact the professor or just need to go over a concept and cement it in, then a study group is the best place. It's an easy way to take a break from studying alone and just go over things with some friends. It allows you to get different inputs and understandings of the material and ground yourself in them.
4. Find your place
This year I learned that the best place to study is the same one. Pick a place and study there every time. Your mind will designate that desk or bench or whatever as your study place and allow you to focus on your studies more when you're there. It is also not recommended to study in your room because your brain labels it as a place of rest and home, so it's best to avoid it when studying.
5.The 20 take down
I believe everyone's heard of how it's good to take breaks while studying, but here is the best way I've heard yet on that method. Study for 20 minutes then take a 20 minute break, then come back to it. Apparently your mind is like a white board and all the information you study in 20 minutes is enough to fill that white board. Once you go over 20 minutes, it starts covering the old information with new information. To avoid that, take some breaks! Give yourself 20 minutes to relax or eat before you hit the books for round 2.
6. Confidence
Everyone's stressed and terrified of exams, but you really shouldn't be. That's not say they aren't hard or worthy of fear, but it's in your best interest to approach them confidently, not terrified or panicky. Being absolutely afraid or stressed out about exams puts you in a fight or flight mode. You shouldn't be in that mindset during an exam. Continually tell yourself that you're doing your best in your studying and you'll do great on the exam. Approach it like you already know you'll get a B. On that note, it's also important to give yourself some leeway, so you're not disappointing when you get your grade. Don't put too high of expectations on yourself, but reasonable ones that you can feel good about.
7. Flashcards
Since the beginning of your academic career, you've used these handy slips of paper. They've been recommended for years as a fantastic way to study, and I too recommend them for your final exams.
8. Repetition
I have found this to be my #1 studying technique. I'm a person of routine and tradition, so repetition was the best study tool for me. It's time consuming, but well worth it in my opinion. What I usually do is write out the answers to the study guide on it, organize them on a study guide I create, rewrite the study guide, create flashcards by hand, type up flashcards on Quizlet. I know, that's a lot, but by continually writing out that information, I'm making it common knowledge to my brain. That's better than just memorizing for the exam then being done with it. If you make it common knowledge, then you'll be surprised with how much you really know when it comes to exam time.
9. Learning Commons
If you're a student at BGSU, you know about the Learning Commons in the Library. It's a great resource for studying. Depending on the subject you have, there is the writing lab, math and stats lab then drop in tutoring throughout the week. If you don't attend BGSU, your library is bound to have tutors available or subject help. You can always come in and ask or check their website to see times. I know some universities have workshops specifically for finals week. Go to those too. There are plenty of resources around you. You just have to seek them out.
10. Color code
I'm a very visual person, so color coding is a great tool for me. I have a specific color for every subject and color the headings in it then use a highlighter of the same color over the need to know, most likely going to forget concepts. It's a great way to draw your eye to important components, and it aids the repetition technique I explained above.
11. Speak aloud
For audio learners, this is a really easy way to study and retain the information better. Even if you're not an audio learner, it's simply an easy good idea. As you're looking over notes, repeat them aloud. It's almost like studying twice at once because your reading and listening at the same time to the same concepts. It's also a good idea to record these notes and listen to them as you walk to classes.
12. Analogies, puns, acronyms
This is a fantastic way to remember any kind of term or list. Analogies, puns and acronyms allow you to quickly and easily retain the information in a way that's pleasing to the ear and eye. It can be a little tricky to do, but even Hannah Montana found a way to use these tools to memorize the bones in the body.
13. Find your best method, and stick to it
No matter what way you decide is best for you, do it. Sure, there are plenty of ideas and tips and things to try, but after you try them, when you find the best methods, stick to them. Sticking to that productive retaining study method is in your best interest for finals.
14. Start now!
Whether your finals are next week, the week after or even farther away, start now. Depending on how close coming it is will change how often and how intense you study, but no matter the case, try to study every day even if just for a little while. Don't procrastinate and wait till the week before to start studying. You have to start now if you want to do your very best and not stress out about it. Sure, it's hard, and it's so easy to stress about it, but if you prepare ahead enough, you will gain confidence as well as knowledge that will fully prepare you for the big week.
