As December begins, group projects, assignments, and essays start to pile up, leaving us frazzled as we scramble to complete everything on time. Although this may be a stressful period, it is imperative that we begin to prepare for finals as they are fast approaching. Taking the necessary steps to prepare for exams can lead to less stress, increased retention, and improved grades.
- Take 20 minutes after each lecture to review your notes
Taking just 20 minutes to review your notes after class can help you retain more of the knowledge you acquired in class. This can help you cut down on revision time and spend more time strengthening your understanding of concepts that are more difficult. By taking a little time out of your day after each class, you will definitely be a lot more prepared than if you cram all of your studying into the week before an exam.
- Join a study group
Joining a study group can help you improve your grades as you will be more motivated to study and will have more fun doing it as well. Study groups enable you to discuss difficult concepts in a group setting, have access to more resources, and also help you stay on track. That being said, it is crucial to form a group where everyone is dedicated (as it could quickly turn into a party). The study hub can be useful during this time as well. Check out the website for more details on the study hub on campus: http://lss.info.yorku.ca/study-hub/
- Find past exams or similar questions online
One of the best ways to prepare for difficult questions on an exam (especially quantitative courses), is to use past exams. Past exams may be posted on your instructor’s web portal and can help you understand the formatting and difficulty of questions that will appear on your exam. Doing multiple exams is a great way to study as similar questions may appear on your own exams. If you do not have access to practice exams, there are multiple online exams with solutions that you can use as well. Although not all questions may be relevant, they provide great practice, may help you think outside of the box, and also find easier ways to solve problems.
4. Plan out your study schedule
With multiple exams approaching, a great way to stay organized is to make a schedule for yourself to figure out what you need to study. This can help you stay on track as you will have a set time allotted for each subject. When making your schedule, make sure to include study breaks in between sessions as well as overworking yourself is detrimental to both your scores and your mental health.
5. Connect with Learning Skills Services
Learning Skills Services is a great resource during this crucial time.They offer workshops, peer academic coaching and individual sessions with a learning specialist.Visit the following link for detailed information: http://lss.info.yorku.ca/or call 416-736-5144.
- Relax!
Exams can be extremely stressful especially when you have so many other things going on in your life. It is important to take a step back and have time for yourself. Studying is important, but make sure to take time to do the things you love as well. Spending time with your loved ones, reading a new book, or watching a film with your children are all great ways to take a break and relax.
Overall, the key to doing well on your finals is to be consistent in studying during the semester, using all the resources available to you, and staying organized. By incorporating these tips into your preparation for finals, you will find yourself becoming more efficient and productive. Happy studying and good luck!
