By Audra Rosenthal, Caily Burr, Manuela Pineiros, Maya Adwar, Samantha Post, Chris Sfikas, and Trey Castora
It’s hard to believe, but finals season is here! For most students, test-taking is stressful. As finals approach, strategic preparation can help to avoid this stress. It is never too early to begin preparing for exams, especially in the subjects you struggle with the most. Here are some ways to prepare for success during finals season!
1. Sleep
As busy college students, sometimes it can be hard to prioritize a good night’s sleep, but being fully rested is one of the best ways to adequately prepare for the upcoming finals season. The Learning Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recommends that the average college student aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. They found that sleep not only promotes cognition and memory but also facilitates learning and recharges our brain. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is crucial when planning for academic success, so next time you have a big test make sure you are properly prepared!
2. Create a study schedule
Creating a well-structured study schedule is essential for effective exam preparation. You can start by evaluating the exam study guide or rubric and determine what key topics you’ll need to focus on and study the most. Allocate specific time slots for each subject, ensuring a balance between challenging and familiar topics. Once you have established the basic framework, consider taking regular breaks during your schedule to prevent burnout and maintain focus. These intervals can serve as opportunities for relaxation or physical activity. A good way to do this is by using the Pomodoro Technique which helps with time management and improving focus.
3. Utilize School Resources
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when beginning to study for exams. Sometimes, you just need a little extra help or explanation to understand the exam content as a whole. There are many resources on campus that can help you perform your best during exams. For example, the Math Statistics Learning Center is a great, free location that is staffed with math and statistics experts who will work individually with you to understand content. The Economics Learning Center is another center that can help you understand economics topics much clearer. The Academic Advising website is filled with many other resources such as one-on-one online tutors and study guides, that can help you learn the content and help you feel even more prepared for upcoming exams. And of course, you have a network of peers here at The PRactice you can ask for help!
4. Stay Hydrated
Between schoolwork, classes, a job, and friends, college life is busy. It’s easy to overlook a small task like taking a sip of water. However, this small task can be a huge ally during exam season. The American College of Sports and Medicine found that only a 2% decrease in body hydration can significantly impact concentration, mood, anxiety levels, brain fog, short-term memory, and sleep quality. Bad news for studying and test-taking! Even if you think you’re drinking enough, chances are you’re not. Healthline recommends males consume 15.5 cups of water daily and females 11.5 cups. That’s nearly 8 standard-sized water bottles every day! Next time a study day rolls around, remember a simple task can make a big impact.
5. Don’t Cram for the Exam
Staying ahead of coursework is exhausting, so why push it back? When preparing for an exam, procrastination or cramming can yield dangerous results. More than 75% of college students consider themselves procrastinators. Instead of waiting until the last minute, study throughout the week in small doses. This tactic of spaced repetition leads to improved memorization, quick recall, and retrieval strength. Pro tip: Use Flashcards as a fun learning game.
6. Take Breaks for Yourself
Whether it’s pausing your studies to go for a walk, or putting the materials aside for a brief moment, allowing time to breathe ensures that the work does not get too overwhelming. Research shows that taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus. Some other ideas are, cleaning up your workspace, mini-stress relief exercises, cooking a healthy meal, and talking to friends!
Hopefully, these tips provided insight on how to increase your success and productivity this exam season. Happy studying and good luck!