Managing Finals Without Dying: 5 Tips

By Megan Krout

Finals. Just saying the word makes my heart race. It’s every student’s most hated part of the year. Despite regular examination and midterms, nothing quite compares to the stress finals brings to students on and off campus. It’s a time of breakdowns, crying fits, all-nighters, and furious memorization. It doesn’t always have to be that way, though. Here are some tips.

1. Don’t ever pull an ‘all nighter’

Trust me. You WILL regret it the next morning. And for the rest of finals. Psychologically, pulling an all nighter is damaging to your mental well being (as well as physical). When you stay up all night to study for the test the next morning, you will forget everything you studied. Being a psychology and neuroscience double major, I’ve seen the research that shows the importance of sleep not only in every day life, but for learning and memory as well. I guarantee you will do better on an exam if you sleep well the night before rather than cram all the information into your head the night before. It’ll be completely gone, and you won’t be able to recall anything you’ve looked at. All that studying for naught. Get at least eight hours the night before (9.25 is optimal).

2. Study in chunks

Don’t cram information all in one go. You won’t learn, you won’t remember and you won’t do well on the test. Study for a subject in chunks, such as chapters of sections. You can also try to review things you know well, and then focus on things you know you struggle with. Take 15(ish) minute breaks between study chunks. During these breaks, do something you enjoy: relax, work out, listen to music or play a game.

3. Reward yourself

The reward system in the brain is a great asset when you know how to use it. Giving yourself rewards for studying and/or doing well on practice problems helps reinforce the learning. It’ll make more of an impact on your brain, and you’ll be able to recall it more easily on the actual exam. If you’re rereading the text, place candy/a snack ever paragraph or so. This gives you something to look forward to. For every right answer, eat a skittle. Not only does it make it easier on you, it’s fun as well.

4. Know what works best for you

Can’t study with any sort of noise? Try the library or somewhere else that’s quite. Need background noise? Go somewhere public like a cafe. Better when you study in a group? Get one put together! Knowing what works best for you can make learning much more easy. It takes stress off your shoulders when you can learn more quickly and easily for exams. It’s a good idea to identify what kind of learner you are, as well. I’m an oral learner; I learn through hearing things. Thus, I like to listen to videos or notes being read to me. Some people are visual, and have an easy time looking at diagrams or memorizing text. There are plenty of tests out there to find your learning type. Here are two quick and accurate tests: Multiple Intelligences Self Assessment and What’s Your Learning Style?

5. Ask questions and be prepared

If your instructor hasn’t sent out a study guide, email them (or talk to them in person) and ask what you should focus on for the exam. Professors are more than happy to help you succeed if you just ask. Ask them questions on topics you struggle on. Often times, they”ll be more gentle grading your exam if they know you tried.

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