Everywhere I go, people are talking about how this semester has been their worst yet and that they can't wait for it to be over. I'm there too. This semester has definitely been the most trying and difficult one I've had, and I am going to throw myself a little party after my last final of the semester. If you're like me (if you're a college student this semester, you definitely are), you're freaking out about finals and stressing about how you could possibly raise your grades with such little time left. Here are some tips and tricks I'll be doing to ensure that I pass all of my finals:
1. Start studying now
I know that studying is the last thing you want to do right now with all of your essays and assignments that are due this week, but hear me out. You've learned a lot of information and you're going to be tested on it all very soon. Study the things you already know and then add new information to your study guide/review sheet/flashcards as you learn it. That way, you'll have a complete studying tool to use during the week of finals and you won't have to stress about cramming everything into a few days.
2. Do not underestimate the power of a study guide and/or flashcards
If you got lucky, your professor made you a review guide. If you didn't, I'm really sorry for you. Regardless of where you get the information from, put it onto flashcards or a separate study guide. Writing things down helps your brain absorb and remember the information better than just reading it. You can even try saying it out loud, which is always helpful for your memory as well.
3. Get a study buddy
Studying with someone else is always easier than studying alone. Get someone to quiz you, run through your flashcards with you, or even just discuss the topics from the test with them. Help each other understand things that you're struggling with; they might know something that you don't that could make or break your grade! Having someone else with you will help you stay focused and motivated, and hey, you get to have a friend suffer with you. What more could you ask for during finals week?
4. Get sleep
I have never been the kind of person that stays up all night studying for finals, and I simply do not understand the people that do. Rest is incredibly important during finals week. Sleeping helps stress, keeps your mind sharp, and allows you to stay awake during those awful, and in my case, comprehensive finals. All the caffeine in the world could never help you the way sleep does!
5. Do. Not. Cram.
It's so easy to stay in the library for eight hours straight when you've got a test to study for. I promise you that if you study a little bit at a time instead of all at once or in excessive amounts, you will do better in the end. Your brain can't really handle all of that information at once. Give yourself time to process the information. A half hour a day will be just enough until the night before the final. The night before the final, study about an hour and a half. This has always proven more successful than cramming.
If all else fails, remember that D's get degrees and the Deans List isn't all it's cracked up to be. Good luck, y'all.
