Helpful Study Tips For Finals

Here are some helpful study tips for finals. Every student gets stressed for big tests, and finals and midterms are some of the most stressful of these tests because they cover all the material in the class.  But with the right study techniques every student can ace finals.

Making a master to do list helps break down the seemingly insurmountable amount of work into more manageable pieces. The mast list should also break down big exams into smaller unit pieces.

A student should just get started. If they wait until they feel like studying they will most likely waste time procrastinating.

It’s easier to study over a long period of time then try to cram all studying into a short period of time. So have the student review their notes daily.

To help optimize studying have the student identify the likely exam format so that they can tailor their studying to that format.

Review old tests and commonly missed questions, chances are that these questions might be recycled on the midterm or final.

Have the student focus on material that they did not know the first time it was presented. This will help them with their weak points instead of just wasting time studying material that they already know.

Look over the syllabus or develop a big topics sheet to help focus studying.

Sometimes the textbook can provide additional information on a topic as well as other outside study aids. Have your student look into these.

If the student is having trouble memorizing things such as dates and formulas, have them create mnemonic devices to help them.

Have them take breaks when studying. The brain can only process so much information at a time.

Have the student reward themselves with enjoyable activities after accomplishing small goals. This will help them stay motivated. 

Have them continue healthy habits, such as sleeping and eating right.

Depending on the student’s learning style it might be helpful for them to draw flowcharts and connect ideas visually. It also might help them to explain the concepts outloud to organize their ideas.

Make sure your student’s study space is distraction free. Have them remove cell phones and other major distractions.

Have the student identify real world examples that illustrate the concept. This helps them put context on learned information.

A good way to study is to have your student test themselves as opposed to just reading the notes. They can do this by answering questions in the back of the textbook or trying to explain the concepts to someone else.

Forming a study group with other students is a good way to keep all students motivated. 

Finally, exams bring about anxiety and this anxiety can have a detrimental effect on a students performance. Have them exercise or listen to calming music to help them relieve this. Also let students know that it is ok to struggle as long as they persevere. 

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