There's
no sugarcoating it: studying for final exams is extremely painful. These
monstrous tests are standing in the way between you and your summer break, but
that doesn't mean that you can slack off and sip iced tea by the pool. Now is
the time to focus, as these test grades reflect the hard work that you've put
in throughout the entire school year. We asked academic experts for their
advice on when to begin studying, how to know when it's time to stop, and what
to do the morning of an exam.
Understand your goals.
"Students
follow a series of requirements, and it becomes very easy to feel like you're
simply jumping through a series of hoops as opposed to understanding why that
class and that test are relevant to you," says Colin Gruenwald of Kaplan
Test Prep. "You have to ask why you're going to invest the time
and energy to do well on a test. Why do you intend to be the student who gets
an A?"
Prioritize the tests that matter the most.
"It's
a mistake to consider all of your finals equal if you're materially better at
one subject than another," says Gruenwald. "Some students think that
they should commit equal time to studying for each test. They're taking away
from their opportunity to really commit time where they need it."
Clarify the content and format of your exams.
"Find
out what the test is going to cover," says Ted Dorsey, author
of Tutor Ted's Guide to the SAT.
"Ask what the format is—multiple choice, essay, or both. Once you begin
studying, bring any questions you have to your teachers. Most teachers will be
happy to help you."
Aim to begin studying at least one month in advance.
"Everyone
knows that studying a little bit over a long period of time is absolutely,
undeniably the right way to study, and yet we are all terrible at actually
putting this plan into effect," says Gruenwald. "The best time to
start studying is at the beginning of the class. Set aside a little time each
week to sit down and organize your notes and think about what's going well and
what's going badly. Three to four weeks ahead of time is the latest that you
want to create a study plan for yourself. Cramming is toxic."
Learn how you study best.
"Everyone
learns differently," says Dorsey. "Just because your friend makes
color-coded outlines, it doesn't mean that's the best way for you to study too.
Change the lyrics of a song you know to help you memorize the countries of
Africa. Write a funny story about the characters in The Scarlet
Letter. Any studying is good
studying, so do it the way that works best for you."
Take snack breaks.
"When
you study, your brain consumes glucose," says Dorsey. "Take a
five-minute break every hour to let your body produce more fuel for your
studying. Take a walk, have a healthy snack (almonds, fruit, and yogurt are
good choices), and stretch. Taking breaks will actually improve your
studying."
Know when to stop studying.
"Within
12 to 24 hours of the test, it's time to stop studying," says Gruenwald.
"You're not going to learn a lot of new content. The likelihood is much
higher that you're going to stress yourself out and confuse yourself. For the
last minute studier, flashcards can be a good resource. They can earn you a few
more points on test day, and it's a much healthier thing to do than starting on
page one of the textbook."
Get a good night's sleep.
"Eight
hours is ideal for the night before an exam," says Dorsey. "It may be
tempting to stay up late studying, but remember: you're going to need energy
and focus while you're taking your exam."
Naturally energize yourself the morning of the test.
"Do
something stimulating the morning of the test," says Gruenwald.
"Don't sit down and watch a back-to-back marathon of American Idol; that's just going to zap your energy level.
Instead, read a book, do a crossword puzzle, take your dog for a walk, or get
some ercise. Do something that's going to make you feel alive and positive, and
will build up your energy level and confidence in the 24 hours before the test.
Please, stay away from caffeine and energy drinks! Your hand will shake so that
you can't write coherent words, and you may crash in the middle of the
test."
Relax.
"You've
survived final exams before, and you'll survive them this time too," says
Dorsey. "If you're feeling nervous when you sit down to take the test,
take three slow, steady breaths. Remind yourself that you've been getting ready
for these tests all year long."
Courtesy:
Teenvogue.com
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