As the first semester comes to an end, finals are steadily approaching. Finals season is often a stressful time for students, especially those who cram their study material without any organized method. However, with good study habits and tips, finals can become a breeze.
Tip 1: Active recall
Active recall is the skill of retrieving information from memory rather than passively rereading notes. A common way to practice active recall is using flashcards with a question on one side of the card and the answer on the other. Another way would be explaining the topic out loud to another person, which tests knowledge on the actual subject. This method of studying boosts long term memory by retrieving information from scratch and overall improves scores and boosts confidence on exams.
Tip 2: Avoid distractions
Study in a distraction free environment. Allowing distractions from outside factors will greatly hinder productivity. The learning center at UNC found that when distractions are allowed into study time, it takes longer to learn and also the level of knowledge gained decreases. So, for a period of time, get set up for success by focusing solely on the material being studied.
Tip 3: Use timers
Using useful tools like a timer can create structured intervals, increasing awareness of time and preventing burnout since there are built-in breaks. Students are able to stay engaged for a short period of time and prevent mental fatigue. The Pomodoro technique uses 25 minute timed sprints with short breaks in between, which improves focus and concentration while keeping time managed.
Tip 4: Getting sleep
Studying should be second on the list of things to do the day before a test. Sleep fuels the studying process by providing energy and increasing alertness. It consolidates memories like the material that was just studied and gets rid of mental clutter. Skipping sleep to study backfires, since students are neither energized nor focused, so get those seven to nine hours!
Tip 5: Reward yourself
After successfully learning/studying a tough subject, allow a reward. It could be a short break to take a nap, or a quick bite of a favorite snack. Rewards will make the process of studying more enjoyable and give motivation to continue learning.
Tips from a teacher:
Ms. Diorio, a teacher at Green Hope whose English II class is taking a mandatory final exam this semester, had a few tips for a successful final. She said, “The best study tip is to be present and engaged all throughout the semester!” She also told the GH Falcon, “The best way to prepare for the final is to put forth an honest effort during class and to learn from mistakes.” It is important to use class time and preparation to one’s best ability, because it will only help on the final, and it can’t hurt. Sharing the most common mistake that she sees in study habits, Ms. Diorio said that memorizing only the words or definitions is a poor study habit. Instead of attempting to memorize definitions, Ms. Diorio recommended, “studying how to use them or examples of them in context. This is a much better, in-depth way for the information to be retained in the long run.”With finals coming up, don’t stress and overcomplicate things! Be confident in learned abilities and take a deep breath. Prepare accordingly using these study tips but ultimately, each student should use a method that works best for them.
