Spring Break
Study smarter, not harder
Andrew Villagomez
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Focus
The thought of finals sends chills up your spine, doesn't it? It is a week of long library hours, study sessions, and late night food ordering. Do not let the stress of finals overwhelm you. Take the time to relax, and you will see that you will perform better come exam time. Here are some tips to make the best of your finals experience.
Don't plan to study nonstop; schedule study breaks. Take breaks to recharge, eat with friends or get some packing done. A key aspect of surviving finals week is sleep. Make sure you get sleep during finals week (even if it's in blocks of three to four hours). You have a limited amount of time to study, so make sure you use the time wisely. Prioritize which classes you need to focus on more. It's never too late to get help - visit campus resources such as the Q Center and talk to your TAs and professors. Do not hesitate to e-mail and or make an appointment with your TAs or professors if you need to.
Skimming the first few sentences and the key words in a chapter is a simple study tip. It is difficult to reread everything from the semester. By reading the first and key sentences, one can recall the information learned. It's also helpful to read the sentences that contain bold words, as these are important terms or phrases. Review past tests, quizzes and homework assignments. Usually, there will be questions from past tests and quizzes if the final is cumulative. If the final is not cumulative, the midterm will give you an idea of how the final will be.
While study cards may be very "middle school," they still work well. The cards can be used to study important terms and concepts, formulas, and even quotes from reading assignments. Writing the material on the cards helps students to remember the information during the exam, and the cards are easy to transport for quick study breaks throughout the day.
Do not overuse energy-boosters such as caffeine or energy drinks. It is okay to use a normal amount (as much as you would on an average day), but it wouldn't be wise to drink 10 Red Bulls before an all nighter. You can have trouble digesting the information you need to absorb and, worst case scenario, stay up so long that you finally crash during the test and give a poor performance.
Don't plan to study nonstop; schedule study breaks. Take breaks to recharge, eat with friends or get some packing done. A key aspect of surviving finals week is sleep. Make sure you get sleep during finals week (even if it's in blocks of three to four hours). You have a limited amount of time to study, so make sure you use the time wisely. Prioritize which classes you need to focus on more. It's never too late to get help - visit campus resources such as the Q Center and talk to your TAs and professors. Do not hesitate to e-mail and or make an appointment with your TAs or professors if you need to.
Skimming the first few sentences and the key words in a chapter is a simple study tip. It is difficult to reread everything from the semester. By reading the first and key sentences, one can recall the information learned. It's also helpful to read the sentences that contain bold words, as these are important terms or phrases. Review past tests, quizzes and homework assignments. Usually, there will be questions from past tests and quizzes if the final is cumulative. If the final is not cumulative, the midterm will give you an idea of how the final will be.
While study cards may be very "middle school," they still work well. The cards can be used to study important terms and concepts, formulas, and even quotes from reading assignments. Writing the material on the cards helps students to remember the information during the exam, and the cards are easy to transport for quick study breaks throughout the day.
Do not overuse energy-boosters such as caffeine or energy drinks. It is okay to use a normal amount (as much as you would on an average day), but it wouldn't be wise to drink 10 Red Bulls before an all nighter. You can have trouble digesting the information you need to absorb and, worst case scenario, stay up so long that you finally crash during the test and give a poor performance.
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