BY: SUZANA GUZMAN
Staff Writer
1. Avoid the urge to procrastinate-
As a student, a good rule of thumb is to plan on reviewing the entire extent of material, possibly breaking up studying by chapters in the textbook or committing a study session to each week of the course. Almost every student has genuine intentions when the semester starts, but of course, life happens. When the source of the procrastination is understood, it’s easier to avoid it from the beginning and set a course for success.
2. Get some sleep-
The earlier you get started studying, the less chance you’ll need to survive all-nighters later on. The connection between a lack of sleep and studying becomes a vicious cycle: less sleep causes trouble remembering material, leading to anxiety and more trouble sleeping, and so on.
3. Write out practice test questions-
This tactic requires you to reduce a semester’s worth of material into a few key takeaways. While the small details are essential, it’s also crucial to recognize the big picture. Additionally, writing practice questions prepares you when it’s time to take the actual exam, and enables you to think like your professor. Lastly, creating tests for studying will help determine any gaps in understanding for a better sign of topics that require closer review.
4. Take breaks-
Taking study breaks is a much more effective study habit than trying to work for a few hours straight. A study break refreshes your brain while simultaneously increasing your energy, productivity, and focus.
5. Good Luck!
Once finals are finished and the semester has come to a close, take the opportunity to assess your semester with complete honesty. Think about what you would like to do even better the following semester. However, the critical thing here is not to be too hard on yourself, do this step with a sense of constructive criticism. Best of luck with your final exams!