Getting Ready for Exam Week

There are several things to do to get ready for exam week and not all of them are academic!

Academic

*Know when and where all exams will be held.

*Know what information will be on each exam (cumulative or not?) and the type (essay, multiple choice, etc.)

*Be sure you have all of the lecture notes, handouts, etc.

*For each exam, start a week ahead.  Look at all of the information and divide into major topics.  Study one major topic a day and then review each topic every day leading up to the exam. 

*Do something active with the information – for example, make a review chart and fill in as you study.

*Predict exam questions and complete.

*Form a study group and quiz each other.

*If you have more than one exam in a day, study the information in that order.  Prepare a condensed study guide for the second exam that you can review on your way to the classroom.   You could also consider speaking to a professor and see if you can take the exam on a different day.  It never hurts to ask!

*If the exam is scheduled in a location different from the classroom, go there to study.  It is helpful to learn the information in the same location where you will be tested.

Non-academic

*Be sure to get enough sleep!  Many times I have worked with students whose main problem is that they are tired and cannot concentrate!

*Eat healthy!

*Do something to control stress – exercise, meditation, plan some relaxation time.  Of course, the best way to deal with the stress of finals is to be well prepared!

*Think positive!  See yourself as a smart, successful student!

*Plan a fun activity after all of your exams are over. That will give you something to look forward to and will also help if you are feeling stressed.

Finally

Enjoy a job well-done!

First Semester Success: Study Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is now available at wordassociation.com, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.