Getting Ready for Finals! - MacInsiders - Student-run McMaster University Help Forum

12-12-2007 at 02:58 AM

Getting Ready for Finals!
Written By Chad Fullerton

Final exams, the most stressful time of year. Wanting to be able to relax from a full and busy semester of studying and homework, while at the same time needing to crack open the dusty textbooks you've been ignoring since midterms and having to catch up on readings!

While stress can be a good thing to keep you on your toes, there are ways to help relieve some of that stress this month and below are some tips to help you do just that.

But before you read on, be sure to note that the Centre for Student Development, as well as the Health and Wellness Centre, which can both be found on campus, have pamplets and programs available to help you get through your stressful times. Services include councelling as well as health appointments incase all that stress starts to get to you.

Note: Be sure to drink plenty of water, you don't want to get dehydrated. And don't push your hunger aside to squeeze in an extra hour of studying. You need to eat, especially before an exam. Furthermore, my biggest tip of advice would be to make sure you get at least 6-7 hours of sleep before an exam so that your mind can process the information into your memory so you'll be able to quickly recall things the next morning. That said, onto the tips!

Here are four useful tips, as well as some info on cramming. If you put your mind to it, anything is possible! Right? R-i-g-h-t?

These tips were found on the EIU's Learning Assistance Centre website.

1. Plan your time wisely.

Gather together all of your materials for each course
Identify the days and times of all of your exams.
Set Priorities (look at the relative value of the exams and your standing in the class)
Create a daily study plan, budgeting your time based upon your priorities and your level of prior preparation.

2. Plan and organize the content areas you need to study.

Set priorities for the material you need to study
Identify what source of information will most likely be covered on the final.
Survey your notebook, textbook, past tests, study guides, other handouts, and syllabus.
Concentrate on the material that is most important.
Concentrate on the material that is less difficult to understand (avoid material that is very complex and time-consuming.

3. Skim over all of the material you identified.

Create a list of the most likely topics to be covered on the final.
Use the table of contents, your highlights in the book and notes, the syllabus, ask your fellow classmates.

4. Employ a learning strategy.

Choose a study strategy that forces you to test your knowledge as it will be required on the exam, e.g., recall or recognition
Create flashcards, a study guide, practice test questions, graphic organizers, charts, etc.

Last minute cramming
There may be some times when you have to cram. Keep in mind that time is limited, so you need to do what will help you the most on the test.
TIPS

Maintain a positive attitude. Tell yourself that you can do it!
Do not allow doubts or worry to interfere with your studying, make the best of the time you have.
Take frequent but short breaks-getting up and moving around a little is a good break
Anticipate possible exam questions
Write down the main points as you identify them
Study from the top down. Select the most general and significant ideas to review first, then use learn more and more details as time permits.
Use your textbook well. Read summaries, review questions, practice tests, etc.
Write down the main ideas of each lecture from your notes
Use stimulants such as coffee carefully, if at all.
Know your sleeping habits. When does lack of sleep begin affecting your performance more than lack of study?
When you cut your sleep, try to sleep for an entire sleep cycle (about three hours).
Have a back-up waking system in place.
On the day of the exam, briefly review your condensed notes.
Be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast the day of the exam
Leave yourself extra time to get to the exam, the unexpected may happen.
Have a positive attitude when you enter the exam room