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!