Happy finals season, college students! Coming back from Thanksgiving break and mustering up the motivation to prepare for finals while your mind is only on the upcoming holiday break is a difficult task for every college student. However, this year I am sharing my favorite study tips to help you focus on finishing out the semester strongly.
Basic Tips:
Use these basic tips to increase your motivation to study!
Find somewhere to study other than your room.
Whether you live in a dorm room or an apartment, it is always helpful to study somewhere else. In my experience, studying or getting homework done while I’m around others with the same goals forces me to do my work rather than waste time scrolling on my phone. By delegating a specific study spot, you can eliminate distractions, have access to more resources and in turn your productivity rate will increase tremendously. My favorite spot is Thompson Library (of course), but when it gets too busy, utilize one of the other libraries on campus or search around to find a new favorite building!
Set a timer.
Time management is one of the most important skills when you’re studying for finals, and the Pomodoro Technique has you covered! Study for 25 minutes, take a short break to scroll on Instagram or get a snack and repeat a few times until it is time for a longer break. Implementing breaks during studying to prevent information overload is important, and this method is my favorite! Use this technique by downloading an app on your phone or using a desktop version by simply searching “Pomodoro Timer.”
Utilize resources.
As I mentioned, libraries offer so many resources for students. Many resources can also be found online in YouTube videos, Quizlets or practice exams. Using your resources, whether your professor provides them or you discover them yourself, is an excellent way to prepare for finals.
Study Methods:
Reread notes.
One of the simplest study methods is to reread your notes. If they are typed, try rewriting them by hand to ingrain them in your brain, and if they are written, type them into a document to organize and analyze the material.
Use The Knowledge Blurb
Using a blank sheet of paper, write down every concept, example or vocabulary word you can remember without looking at your notes. When finished, compare your Knowledge Blurb with chapter summaries and lectures, organizing your knowledge in a more concise way. I like to use pictures, diagrams and color-coding to help remember different topics as I am testing, too!
Teach a friend.
The teach-a-friend method works wonders for me! As I teach a friend (or teach myself in the mirror), I have noticed that I can better conceptualize ideas and come up with my own examples that relate to the subject, allowing me to remember the topic on my assignments and tests.
Traffic Light Method
As you reread notes, use the Traffic Light Method to measure your understanding. Color-code your notes based on your knowledge of the topic:
- Red: don’t know or don’t remember, need to relearn
- Yellow: slightly remember, need more review
- Green: expert, need very little review
After you go through your notes, prioritize your studying to first learn the red information, then review the yellow information and finally review the entirety of your notes, including the green information.
None of these tips or methods will work unless you are caring for yourself, too. Remember to eat three meals daily, hydrate, get enough sleep and keep your body active; prioritizing self-care during finals season is the most important thing to keep in mind. Good luck, Buckeyes, and happy almost winter break!