How to Study for Finals

Preparing for Finals

End of semester is here and before you know it you will be sitting in your classroom taking your final. So you must start preparing yourself mentally for the exams ahead. You probably have to write a final paper; review notes from 40 or more lectures; finish reading textbooks; and find time to prepare for the final exam. It can seem overwhelming, but if you start preparing yourself early, you’ll feel a lot better about getting everything accomplished. In this paper I will go over some of the techniques that will allow you to prepare your mind and body for a successful completion of final exams.

Preparation is the key to success on final. Hence, very first thing anyone should do is get themselves organized before you start preparing for the final. Gather all the materials, books, notes, previous homework, quizzes and exams, before you embark on your mission of studying for final. Put them in chronological order to save time and effort from searching for material at the last minute.

Once you are organized do not jump into study mode at full force, remember to start early and start small. Begin reviewing you material several days before the final exam and do short reviews to familiarize yourself with the material that may seem you haven’t seen in a long time. It takes time to get your brain ready to integrate and recall all the stuff from beginning of the semester. Increase the length and depth of your review as you move closer to the final.

Designing a study schedule is an excellent way to organize you study time. Make a commitment to spend at least 1 hours per class per day for general review of all units or to focus on the areas that still remain somewhat difficult. By setting aside time now to focus on the final exam, you’re preparing your mind for what’s ahead. And you’ll also find areas that you have questions about. This will provide you plenty of time to get answers from your professor, tutoring assistant or teaching...