I know that the Fall semester has only just started for college students, but before you know it, it’ll be December and time for finals. Now, finals can either be relatively stress-free, or the hardest, most stressful tests you’ve ever taken. It depends on three things: 1. How well you’ve paid attention in class, (taken good notes, done all assignments, and gone to every lecture.) 2. How you prep for the exam and 3. How hard the class is. Now, I can’t help you with #3- it solely depends on the professor and the subject, and #1 completely depends on your commitment level. However, when it comes to prepping for exams, there are plenty of tricks you can use. Check out this post by Barbara Nixon at Public Relations Matter for the ultimate list of exam study tips that you can use year round:
-Take advantage of all the help the professor gives: go to all exam study sessions, make good use of the study guide if there is one.
-Look through previous exams for questions that may be on the final- pay special attention to the ones you got wrong. Highlight, use post-its- whatever works for you.
-DON’T pull an all nighter. Begin studying at LEAST a week in advance, then get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.
-Calculate your grade for the class, figure out what score you need on the final to get an A.
-Come prepared! Bring extra pencils/ pens, a scantron- don’t be that guy.