TESTS AND EXAMSEXAM REVISION How to Study for Finals

1. Identify your goals. It is crucial to know your goals before you start studying. You should set a goal grade for each exam and then think about the steps you need to get there. 

• • It would be best if you were realistic. Consider how much you’ve done all year, how well you understand the material and how long you have to study.
  • Do not set unrealistic goals. Push yourself to achieve your full potential.

2. Create a study plan. A realistic and effective study plan is essential to ace your finals. Planning your study will ensure you have all the materials you need by the exams arrive. This will minimize stress and maximize productivity. These are the things that you need to keep in mind: 

• • Make a time-stamp of all your activities. Add in work, classes, and time with friends and family. This will help you determine how much time you have for studying.
  • Create a study plan that fits your schedule. You can use commute time, class time, and any other time you have to study. Remember that an hour of study per day is more productive than a five-hour block once a week.
  • Your study goals should be determined. It is not enough to write “study biology” as a guideline. Your study plan must be precise. Your study material should be broken down into specific topics and tasks, which can be added to your study plan. You will be able to understand the information in 20-minute chunks.
  • Be consistent with your schedule. If you don’t follow your study plan, it is useless. It is important to be realistic. It would help if you accounted for breaks and distractions in your planning. It is your only choice to do it. You might find that studying a subject takes longer than you expected, so plan some extra time.

3. Start studying early. Although this may seem obvious, it is important to start studying as soon as possible to prepare for exam day. You will study all the material and have enough time to take practice exams. You will feel less anxious and stressed if you start studying well in advance. 

• • It would help if you considered studying as part of your daily routine all year. Not just for the exams. Preparing for classes means reading the required material and additional reading on the subject. Talk to your professors and ask questions. Take extensive notes, as they will prove invaluable later. Review the class material, and then rewrite or copy the notes you made during class. This will make it easier to remember the material when you are ready for exam time.
  • Procrastinate not. Procrastination is something that everyone does at one point or another. However, it would help if you made an effort to stop it before finals. View your study schedule as being set in stone. You can reduce the chance of studying late or missing the deadlines by studying as you have promised. It’s tempting to delay studying until the last minute, but cramming too close to exams can make it difficult to retain any information. So do not procrastinate!

4. Get your materials. You will need to organize and gather all the resources and materials you need to pass your exams. Gather your class notes and past assignments, class handouts and class notes.

• • Sticky notes, highlighters, and folders can be used to organize your material and make it easy to find important information.
  • Take a look at your class notes and highlight any keywords, formulas or themes. Because they are shorter than textbooks, your class notes can be a useful study tool. They will also give you an idea of what professors are most likely to stress in the exam.
  • If you feel any gaps, ask to borrow notes from a classmate to compare them with yours.
  • You might consider using a different textbook than the one you already use. You might find an alternative textbook that provides additional information or a new way to understand a definition.

5. Select a quiet location for study. The effective study requires that you choose the right place. Each person will have their ideal location. Some people prefer to work from home to get a cup or snack whenever they want. Some prefer to work in the library because they can be surrounded by focused people and are free from distractions. It is up to you to discover what works best for you. It would help if you found what works for you.

  Visit the office during business hours. Most students don’t have the time or are too scared to use office hours. Most professors and T.A. Students are encouraged to take an interest in their field, and they will gladly answer any questions you may have.

• • Showing up to the office during working hours gives the professor a positive impression. This could influence their decision when grading your exam.
  • Talking with your professor about the course material may give you an idea of what topics are most important and most likely to be covered in the exam. You may get some guidance from your professor regarding exam technique and what they expect to see in the exam.

6. Organize a study group. Study groups are a great option for those who struggle to motivate themselves to study. You can choose a group of friends and colleagues to organize a study session lasting 2 or 3 hours once per week. You can exchange ideas with others, solve difficult problems together, and even ask professors questions. It may be possible to split the workload. 

• • If you’re studying from a long, complex textbook, where only the key information is required, you might consider taking one chapter and summarizing it for each member of your group. This will allow you to absorb a lot of information quickly.
  • Everyone working in a group must have the same work ethic and a similar work ethic. If the group is not working, it will be difficult for everyone to succeed. It’s important to do well.