The Semester is Over - What To Do Next

Your finals are over and you are headed home for the semester break.  Here are some things to consider:

• Keep all of your papers and returned exams until you receive your final grade for each course.  If you think there was an error you will need these to prove your point.
• Keep all of your syllabii.  If you ever decide to transfer the new school may want to see them in order to determine is the credits will transfer.
• If you were unable to sell your textbooks, consider selling them yourself at the beginning of the next semester – at a price below the used book price at the book store but higher than you would have received during Book-Buy-Back.
• Consider reading a book that relates to you field.  Go to your local library for suggestions.
• Many schools offer short winter sessions on-line.  If you take a class somewhere else, be sure it will transfer before registering.  Your own institution can help with this.
• Reflect on what went well this semester.  Think about how you will continue to do the same thing next semester.
• Reflect on what you could have done better.  What changes can you make next semester and how can you implement them?
• Use this time to recharge your motivation.  Reflect on your goal.  Visualize yourself doing what it is that you want to do.
• Relax!  Rest!  Enjoy time with family and friends!

What to do if you are not prepared for finals!

First of all, shame on you!  You must have missed the posting that explained that learning needs repeated and varied exposure to the material spread out over TIME!  But here we are, so what should you do?

You will not be able to review every small detail.  So first, go through the material and identify the major topics.  Then, do the following:

1. Write each topic at the top of a page or on a large (5”x7”) index card. 
2. Working with one topic at a time, go through each topic and outline the next level of topics, leaving some spaces in between.
3. Go back again and write important information under each sub-topic.
4. Do this for each of the major topics.
5. Now focus on one card at a time and begin to learn the information. 

 Depending on how much time you actually have before the final you can go deeper and deeper into the material.  If time, go back and reread your notes after reviewing your basic outline on each major topic.  Depending on how much of the final is from the textbook, go back and skim the book, again according to each major topic you identified.

You should NOT

• Stay up all night
• Take no-doze or some other drug
• Panic

 Next semester remember to review and learn your notes after each class!   When it comes time for the final exam it will be a breeze!

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?