It's a week before finals and the time crunch of projects, papers and presentations is upon us. The library is crowded and there's no peace and quiet at home to study.
Everyone has different ways of preparing for finals, but the Learning Center has a study strategies desk dedicated to helping students recognize their strengths and weaknesses in studying. Jacqueline Harris, study strategies and writing coordinator, helps to train, hire and supervise people who help at the study strategies desk.
The desk also puts on a workshop on how to study. This workshop includes study tips and learning styles that help you know the best way to study. However, there is one issue that ties all of the other factors together.
"When we start talking about exams, time management is really a key issue, I think," Harris said.
Study Tips
According to the Learning Center, one of the best ways to prepare for your exams is to make a planner to know exactly when and where your finals are. The Learning Center also suggest knowing what kinds of exams you have, whether they are comprehensive or cumulative.
Harris also suggests being active in your studying. Quiz yourself with flashcards and make mnemonics or acronyms for key vocabulary terms.
"I read the materials needed for the test and highlight," said Jennifer Watts, senior communications major. "Then I make note cards with questions on the front and answers on the back to study."
In addition to making flashcards, Harris also suggests predicting exam questions by going through chapters and reading the headings within the chapters. Also go through previous test questions and try to make your own study guide.
Joining in group review sessions can also be beneficial when time is utilized wisely.
"Sometimes students have bad experiences with study groups and they tend to avoid them," Harris said. "But they can be really helpful if everyone is on task and contributing rather than being frustrated and procrastinating."
One of the main things to avoid is to go through and simply re-read entire chapters. Skim them, read introductions and summaries, but look at the chapter as a whole. Headings within a chapter can also contain key concepts that could be worth studying.
"The author didn't just toss it all in there; he's got it organized in some way," Harris said. "So if you can figure out how the author organized the chapter, it's a good way to try and understand it."
Students also have a tendency to glaze over charts and pictures. Each graphic is important to the chapter in that it could explain a concept visually for the reader. If you still don't quite grasp a concept, re-read that section.
Procrastination
Studying can seem like an overwhelming task and when it comes down to it, some have procrastinated while others have been studying for weeks.
"Procrastination is something we never get quite fixed, and so if you feel like you're procrastinating, I suggest looking at the whole project and breaking it into chunks," Harris said.
If procrastination befalls you, organize the time you have left. Keep a calendar of when you can study and confirm your exam dates. This will help you spread it out. Keep a to-do list for what you can get done each day. Another thing Harris identifies is that it is often hard for students to retain motivation.
"It's important to keep toward your goals," Harris said. "Time management is always a struggle but [the Learning Center] can hopefully give you some tips."
Avoiding Distractions
Studying productively is a challenge. Distractions like Facebook and e-mail can affect your focus. Harris suggests cutting up studying into 15 minute chunks. She also suggests that you keep a scrap paper near your book so you can tally each time you get distracted. After the 15 minutes are up, tally up your marks and then set your time for five more minutes and try to reduce your tallies.
It could be that a person just gets distracted easily. Maybe a dorm room is the most conducive to your study time. Senior telecommunications major Kevin Grazioli likes to mix up his studying environments.
"Usually it helps to get away from my room, the library, or different place on campus," Grazioli said. "Any time I can get away from distractions, I can focus better."
Taking the Test
Sometimes a student can feel overwhelmed when they actually sit down to take the test. They have studied for days and their mind is at capacity. Harris suggests that the first thing a student should do during the test is to write down their acronyms, formulas and dates in the margins of their exam.
"If you do this kind of memory dump, it clears your anxiety some and you think, ‘Oh good, I know that, I haven't forgotten that.' Then you can go on and be a little more relaxed and answer questions."
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