Preparing for Finals
BEST PREPARING FOR FINALS WEEK
As the semester comes to a close, finals are either underway or right around the corner. The key to a strong final test performance is early preparation. Studying should begin well in advance of the week of the test. Read on to learn about the best ways for your student to prepare, as well as what they can do as time starts to run out before the test date.
MAPPING OUT A PLAN FOR FINALS
The idea of taking multiple tests in a short period can be daunting, but approaching finals with a clear plan can alleviate the sense of intimidation and improve your performance. One important step in this plan should be early preparation. Indeed, spacing out the time between review sessions has been shown to be more effective for test performance than trying to cram in quick review sessions shortly before the test (Applied Cognitive Psychology).
First, using a planner or calendar, you should map out when each test is scheduled to take place. Then, block out weekly study time dedicated to each class, giving yourself about 2-3 weeks to prepare. To truly maximize your studying — in addition to blocking out the recommended 2-3 weeks — we recommend that you regularly review your notes throughout the term, on a weekly or even daily basis, for example.
When it comes to the actual studying, we recommend doing the following:
Create distraction-free zones: Remove all phones and distractions for fully concentrated studying.
Take practice tests: Understanding the information is important, but being able to apply it is crucial. If your teacher gives you practice tests, take them and try to do so in a test-like environment. If you aren’t provided with practice tests, try creating your own using problems from homework and past assessments.
Make cheat sheets: Even if you aren’t allowed to use a ‘cheat sheet’ on the test, systematically writing down concepts that could show up on the test is a good way to retain information. Cheat sheets should be handwritten and legible. A good test is to try writing as much information from memory as possible.
Collaborate with peers: Working with peers opens up the opportunity to review information together and quiz one another. If you trust the quality of your peers’ work, you can also have each person create a study guide for some subset of the information.
Attend review sessions: If a teacher is hosting an online review session, attend! To get the most out of these sorts of sessions, come prepared with questions or topics you personally want covered.
Of course, every student will have a plan that works best for their particular learning style, but early studying and organization are strategies that should not be skipped.
TAKING YOUR FINAL (REMOTELY)
Preparing for an online test will be very similar to preparing for a traditional pen-and-paper test, but the notion of taking a test remotely may be a bit unsettling, especially if it’s your first online final. To manage any stress or anxiety associated with the new format, try some practice problems, or even a practice test, in an environment similar to that of the actual test. Doing so will help you feel more relaxed on test day.
You should also ask your teacher about the testing conditions ahead of time, so you’ll know what to expect and can avoid any issues mid-test. What should you do if the internet connection cuts out? Are there any specific details you should know about the test platform? These are the sorts of questions you should be asking. You should also consider the window of time in which you can take the test. If the test is open for multiple hours or even multiple days, we recommend taking the test early, giving yourself enough of a buffer for possible technical setbacks.
Here are some logistical details to consider:
Where can you access the test?
How much time do you have to take the test?
Are there specific instructions for submitting?
Will my internet connection be stable during the testing window?
Thinking of potential issues — and how to address them — beforehand can eliminate additional stressors leading up to and during the test.
Some remote finals may also be open-note. Keep in mind that looking for every answer will likely cause you to run out of time. Consider making study guides or quick-reference book tabs to optimize efficiency.
WHEN YOU HAVE TO CRAM: A GUIDE
So far, this newsletter has been dedicated to the importance of early preparation for finals. You may run into scenarios, however, where you haven’t had enough time to dedicate to a certain test or, alternatively, a test date is announced with little notice. Both situations leave you with a less-than-ideal amount of time to study. In this section, we want to provide you with some tips for these rare last-minute scenarios.
As a fair warning, cramming, or ‘last-minute’ studying, is often associated with stress and lack of sleep, both of which can have negative impacts on academic performance. Additionally, cram-style studying does little to aid long-term memory retention (UCSD).
We do not recommend cramming unless it’s unavoidable. In case you’re left with little time to study, here are some tips:
Don’t pull all-nighters: If you must stay up late to study, get at lest some sleep. Doing so will help with information retention.
Create a condensed plan: Even with limited time, you should still establish a plan. Determine how much time you can dedicate to specific tasks.
Focus on practice problems: Instead of rereading the textbook, work through practice problems. You may know more than you think, and this exercise will give you an idea of what topics to focus your attention on.
Allow mini breaks: Give yourself small breaks between topics, for example, to keep your concentration up.
In addition to the aforementioned strategies, use relaxation techniques to stay cool and collected. Consider deep-breathing exercises, drinking tea, or other self-soothing practices during the study process.
STUDY TIP OF THE WEEK
For each of your classes, you can use a final grade calculator to determine the score you need for your desired grade in the class. Prioritize studying based on the tests that will have a larger impact on the final grade.