Final Exam Study Advice

The semester has whipped by at an alarming pace (or at least it seemed that way to me), and finals are upon us once again. The last weekend of the fall semester is coming to a close, and everyone is trying to cram in that last bit of information for final exams. The problem is trying to figure out, what study habits (or cramming methods) work? 

Here is some advice you can follow with the studying time you have left:

1 Divide up your time: It’s important to figure out what classes are more important or will take more time for you to study. If you find yourself struggling with math (as I often do), don’t put it off until later. Tackle your hardest subjects first. 

2 Don’t get distracted! Those ads online with cute dresses and shirts have to be left for a later time. We would much rather drool over a cute dress on Pinterest than work on studying for a math exam. But, we have to shake ourselves away from it, and get back to work. Staying focused is key, especially if your study time is limited. 

3 Remember to eat: Sometimes once you get started studying, it’s hard to stop. It’s great when you get in that mindset, but don’t forget to stop and eat once in a while too. It’s better to keep yourself fed because it helps your brain keep going. Don’t neglect your need to eat – remember a nourished brain is a healthy brain. Stay away from heavy carbs though, especially simple carbs such as white pasta, rice, and white bread. These result in a rapid spike in blood sugar, and is followed by that energy “crash” that most of us are all too familiar with. However, if you do choose to eat these foods, spread out your meals, rather than eating them all at once. From an energy point of view, oatmeal and wheat products are ideal. These are a form of complex carbohydrates, which take much longer for the body to break down, and as a result, you’ll experience sustained energy levels, and you’ll feel full longer. And when you’re full,  you won’t be eating – which means you can be STUDYING!!

4 Two-hour time limit: Allow yourself two-hour time limits for each subject you’re studying. If you study too hard on one subject for too long, you could exhaust yourself. Keep an eye on the clock and time yourself. In between each study time, allow yourself a 15 to 20 minute break. 

5 Don’t panic: Panicking is the worst thing you could do to yourself while studying. If you’re panicking, you’re not studying. Panicking will only hurt you and make you have even more stress than you need. Just take a deep breath, walk around a little bit, and then come back to the subject you’re studying. Keeping a level-head will help you succeed on your exams. 

Good luck on your final exams and have a wonderful winter break!