Finals week is coming up and it’s a good time to start thinking about how you want to approach the week. To help make the week easier and less stressful, here are some tips.
- Set goals for yourself.
Deciding what you want to accomplish in your finals is a great start in determining how much you need to study or prepare. If you have a goal to keep or raise a grade, it may be helpful to set a goal score and to decide preparation amounts based on that. Additional goals that would be helpful in preparing for finals week would be to complete all study guides/material or maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
- Figure out the format of your final.
Teachers might not know the exact format or its content of your final yet but figuring out its general setup is great for deciding how to study. For open note finals, it may be a good time to organize all of your notes and see what areas you need more notes on or to go over. For finals in a test format, looking back at previous tests or utilizing a study guide provided to you is likely the best resource for studying. Many teachers this semester are transitioning away from a traditional test format so depending on the format, studying may not be as necessary and more based on your demonstration of knowledge.
- Plan out your study schedule.
Having a general schedule that accounts for the amount of time that you want to study for each final is helpful to stay motivated and keep on track with what you want to accomplish. If you can allocate small amounts of time often, it may help in better memorizing material or having better study sessions. Ideally, take note of all information you learn about individual finals so you can better plan your days and don’t forget about important assignments or information.
- Don’t leave studying until finals week.
Although there is a substantial amount of time after finals that could be used to study, finals are tiring and it may be a good idea to start studying as early as possible. In between classes is a good time to start getting together previous assignments or material needed for studying. If you have final assignments outside of the in-class final, it’s also a great use of your time to begin starting and completing those assignments.
- Try to not be too stressed.
It’s really important to take care of your mental health before and in between finals. Some things that may make the week a bit easier are listening to your favorite songs whenever possible, finding a comfortable spot to work in, and taking time to do something you enjoy between finals. If the content of a final becomes stressful, teachers are always there to answer questions and help you feel more prepared.