You know you need to study for finals, and you know you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. But what does that look like exactly? Read our tried and true approach, and you’ll be on your way to acing your exams!
Make a list of the the exams you’ll need to study for. Then note which will have the biggest impact on your final class grade, and which will require the most preparation. This will help you decide how to divvy up your time.
Check in with your teachers. Before you talk with them, make a list of questions that will help you narrow your study focus. Here are some we’ve found useful:
Find and organize the materials (physical and digital) you’ll need to study. These may include the following:
As you go through these materials, think about which topics you struggled with and which you feel good about. This will make it easier to prioritize when you start to put together your study schedule.
Give yourself at least one or two weeks to study for your tests. Yep, you read that right. When you study a little every day over a longer period of time rather than studying for long hours a day or two before a test, you learn and remember the information better. This is especially important for finals because of the volume of information you’re reviewing.
It’s not enough just to make the time; you need to structure it. Create a study schedule and stick to it. Determine how much time you want to set aside each day for each subject and put those blocks on a calendar (paper or digital). This eliminates wasted time spent figuring out what to do each day.
The best part of all of this is that when you have the time you need to become really familiar with the content, you won’t feel panicked the days leading up to the test. You’ll likely also sleep better the night before, which will also help you perform to the best of your ability!
How do you maximize the time you’ve set aside for studying? Make it targeted and interactive.
Sometimes it’s easier to stick to a plan when you have someone to work with, so share this post with your friend and you can keep each other on track! If you need more support, give us a call and we’ll match you with a great tutor!
Shannon has a degree in marketing from Creighton University. After working in the business world for over five years, she decided to go back to school to get her master’s degree in elementary education from Quincy University. Learn more about her below!
My favorite book is… The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. This is an amazing book that made me want to travel and see more of the world.
My favorite subject in school was… history because I loved learning more about the world and how the past helped shape who we are today.
On a day off you’ll find me… hanging out with family and friends. In the summer, usually doing something fun outside.
What sets Nurturing Wisdom apart is… it’s team approach to tutoring as well as it’s individualized curriculum! Both the team approach and the curriculum make tutoring and learning more fun and efficient.