Preparing for Finals

Finals are a week or two away, so it is time to start preparing.  Be sure you know the following:

• Date, time and location
• What the exam will cover – is it cumulative or on the material since the last exam?
• Open book, open notes, or from memory?
• Same or different format from previous exams?

 Then check to be sure you have all of the material.

• Are your notes complete?
• Do you have all the handouts from class?

 Leading up to this point you have been reviewing your notes after each class and periodically reviewing all of them.  Now you need to do something so that you can see the big picture:

• Make a large review chart with all of the topics displayed on the chart
• Condense your notes into one page with only the main topics and points written

 Leading up to the final, you can study one topic each day.  Also, keep going back and reviewing the topics you studied for the past few days.    If there is something you do not understand you have time to talk with your professor or other students in the class for some help.

Next week:  What to do if you have NOT been studying your notes after every class and you are now PANICKED?