Preparing for Final Exams

When should you start to study for final exams?

This is a trick question!  There are two correct answers:

1.       Right now!

2.       After each class as you learn your lecture notes.

When you prepare for a major exam, what you need to do is to review all of the information you previously learned and take a step back to see the big picture. 

 

Here are some ideas:

• Start several days or a week before the exam.
• Look at the major topics to be covered in the exam, write them on separate pieces of paper or in the heading area of a large review chart.
• Go through your notes and the book and add the major points under each topic
• If this is a class where you will be expected to apply the information to new situations, include some examples
• Be sure you know they format of the exam, then predict exam questions
• Notice how the topics all fit together.  Are there connections the professor might ask about?
• Take one topic per day and thoroughly review or relearn it.
• Review all the topics everyday leading up to the exam.   Remember to use recitation – cover your notes and restate the information in your own words from memory.

Do NOT stay up all night to study!  You will not remember anything and your memory won’t work well for days!

Knowing vs. Understanding

As we approach finals, think about the difference between knowing and understanding.  When you just review and reread your lecture notes and textbook, you will “know” the material.  You may be able to recognize the information on an exam if it appears in the same words as your notes or textbook.  But if the information is restated in different words, appears in a different order, or if you are asked to apply the information learned in class to a new situation entirely, you will not be able to do it.

You need to learn the information past the point of knowing and to the point of understanding.  You can do this using several strategies:

• Recitation – can you restate the information in your own words?
• Teach someone else – can you explain what you have learned to someone?
• Manipulate the information in various study guide formats
• Relate the information to what you already know
• Apply the information to a new and different situation

 This is especially important in courses like Psychology and Business.  The exams in these courses usually give you new scenarios and ask you to apply the information that you learned to the different situations.

Knowing this, you can adapt your study strategies so that you understand the material!

You are capable, but are you willing?

“Success, real success, in any endeavor demands more from an individual than most people are willing to offer – not more than they are capable of offering.”         James Roche

One of the most important ingredients in academic success (in any success, really) is what you are willing to do to be successful.  How much time and effort are you willing to devote to achieving what you want?  What other activities are you willing to sacrifice or skip in order to have more time to study or work on the project?  

As stated in the quote above, the difference between the successful and unsuccessful person is not their capabilities, but their willingness to work hard to achieve their goals.

As a college student, especially as final exam week approaches, how much effort are you willing to devote to your learning?  What outside, social, activities might you have to skip in order to have enough time to prepare for your exams?

Take a minute to make two lists:

What do I need to do in my classes to prepare for final exams?	What non-academic activities can I skip to allow more time to study?

There are just a few short weeks left in the semester, but the results of your efforts will stay with you forever.

Final Four Weeks of the Semester

As the semester draws to an end, there are several things you should start to think about:

• Are any of your grades on the borderline?  If so, start to put extra effort into studying for that class over and above your regular studying.
• When are your finals?  If you have several in one day there may already be a policy in place to help you move one of them.  You can also speak to one of your professors to see if they are giving the same exam at a different time.
• Do you have all of the materials you need for the finals?
• Do you have any major assignments due during these four weeks or as a final?  If so, have you started to work on it?  If not – start NOW!
• If you are living in the dorms, when do you have to be out?  When can someone come and get you if you need a ride?

The last weeks of the semester go by very quickly.  Start now to stay on top of your work and studies so you can enjoy the spring weather and time with friends and still maintain your academics.