Study Tips to Help You Succeed!
By: Ethan Weidman
As classes begin to come to an end, the only thing standing between you and your summer are finals.
Some of you will have cumulative finals, covering everything that you have learned in the class over the course of the semester. Others will have final exams that are only focused on a certain part of the class’s information.
No matter what type of final it is, many finals contribute as a larger impact to your final grade, so you must do well. Here are a few tips that I have learned over my years at Hood College that will help you benefit while taking your test.
First and the most important part of finals week is SLEEP. Many students will stay up too late on the night of the final, cramming more and more information into their heads. You will do so much better if you have a full night of sleep and you look over your notes the following morning.
Secondly, make sure you eat something before you go in for your exam. If you have a 9:00 a.m. exam and you do not usually eat breakfast, grab a banana or an apple from the dining hall before you get there. If you are full while you are taking your test, you will not have to worry about your stomach making any horrible grumbling noises!
Third on the list is to wear something that is comfortable! When I am taking tests, especially finals, I will wear sweatpants or a comfy pair of jeans. Depending on how long the test is, you may be sitting in that seat for the entire two hours permitted and you do not want to be wearing skintight jeans or a buttoned up shirt.
Fourth, a step that I personally prefer, is to get to the exam room early. If the exam is at 2:00 p.m., I will arrive 15 minutes early so that I can get myself situated and get one last chance to look over my notes.
Which leads to my last and final study tip, STUDY. Look over any notes, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and anything else that will help you when you take the test. If you know the material, you will be able to answer any questions. Make sure you do not start studying the night before, but a few days before and keep looking back at your notes.
Make sure that if you have any questions about your exam or any questions that you think might make their way on the exam, talk to your professors. Send them an email or stop in their office during their office hours.
If you use these tips, I cannot guarantee that you get a high grade, but you will be comfortable, collected, and ready to do your best. Good luck!