The sun is out, the days are getting long, classes are almost out- but will your spring GPA be strong?
With finals approaching it can be hard to stay focused. I feel like I get tunnel vision and can only think about summer vacation and relaxing. However, I want to do well on my finals. I’ve decided to make a quick set of rules so that I don’t lose my focus during this last stretch of the academic year. Follow these guidelines and you’ll approach finals confident and prepared.
DO: Organize a study group
Meet up with a few studious classmates and combine all of your knowledge and notes to prepare. Make an outline together and give each member a copy to review what your group discussed before the exam
DON’T: Invite the Cutie behind you who doesn’t take notes
I know- this is the perfect opportunity to finally hang out. But if he is not a good student, he will only distract you from studying. After finals you can suggest that you two celebrate survival- but until then focus on the books.
DO: Study early and often
Finals are still some time away but it is never too early to start preparing. You don’t have to go into Red Zone-Mode quite yet (That is, sleeping in Cook with a diet of Starbucks and vending machine snacks) but start to look over stuff you learned earlier in the semester. This way, you can see what you forgot or still don’t understand in order to decide what to focus on when its time. If you have been slacking this semester, you especially should start preparing early.
DON’T: Cram
Just don’t do it. You’ll burn out. Plus, do you honestly expect to learn a whole semester’s worth of Shakespeare or Einstein in 3 days?
DO: Use your resources
Professors set aside office hours just for us- so don’t be afraid to ask for an appointment. There is Wi-Fi all over campus through which you can access Cook Library’s research databases. Tutors are available and other academic resources can be found on the Towson University website.
DON’T: Abuse your resources
Don’t use technology to do the work for you. Don’t even think about plagiarism or cheating. While obvious, you’d be surprised at how many students try. If you are considering it, you’d be better off just skipping the final because a failing grade is better than expulsion.
DO: Give yourself a break
You shouldn’t worry to the point where you go crazy. Pace yourself, get enough sleep and don’t forget to eat or bathe (trust me, some do). You should care about how you perform on finals but it shouldn’t be an obsession. It’s okay to take an hour here and there to hang out with friends, log on to HerCampus.com, or nap to decompress.
DON’T: Think you’re on break
As finals approach, attending lectures can seem less and less important. Many Professors lessen the work load and reserve the last few class meetings for students to present projects. While this seems like a free pass to skip class, it is more so that you can focus on your finals. If you decide to play hooky, make sure you are productive with that time. If you decide to sleep in with it, that is fine as long as you get to work for the rest of the day. The weather is warm and you want to enjoy it, but tell yourself you have a few more weeks and then you can bust out the Frisbee or bikini.