Finals are coming up, and you know what that means – not studying until the last minute. This finals season, whether it consists of AP exams or class finals in general, we can all work hard to achieve our goals. Here are the top seven things I like to do doing when finals season storms around!
1. Make a schedule
This is my first priority, as making a solid schedule including all your tasks for your day makes it such a breeze. For finals, making a schedule at least a few weeks in advance is the difference between cramming at the last minute and spacing out your study sessions.
2. Hit the gym
You think you can skip out on some exercise and stay sitting in front of a book for the entire day? According to research from Harvard Health Publishing, exercise can greatly improve your abilities to learn and retain information. It doesn’t even have to be a mile-long run or deadlifting — it can be as simple as a walk outside or stretching and standing up between breaks.
3. Don’t just read your notes
Active recall is important for a successful study session. Active recall refers to techniques that require active and not passive studying. This can include using flashcards, practice tests or even the Feynman technique where you teach someone else about the subject. Re-reading your notes is good for review, but it shouldn’t be the only technique you rely on.
4. Get some sleep
Pulling an ‘all-nighter’ might not be the best choice to pursue when you have an exam the next day. MIT research has shown that students with sleep deprivation are more prone to lower grades compared to those who have good sleeping habits. I know your “for you” page can be entertaining at night, but you can look at it after you get an A on that test.
5. Create mnemonic devices/stories/songs
Need to memorize the quadratic formula? Memorize the song! This can help so much, especially when something just can’t sit in your head. Making a story, a song, or even a mnemonic device can help you remember what you need to on exam day. Just don’t sing out loud in the exam room.
6. Use a scent to remember
When you study specific information, make sure you have a scent to remember it with and then use that scent on exam day. An example of this is chewing gum, as the smell of it while studying can help you remember information for your exam. Harvard Medical School supports this information as well!
7. Change the scenery
Sitting at your desk for long hours to study can be gruesome, but changing your environment can definitely help refresh your brain. Libraries, cafes or even a different room can help give your brain a fresh change. I like to go downstairs to our front living room when I get tired of studying in my room, just to get a transformation of the scene around me.
This article was edited by Kate Duncan, Sahasra Venkata Kandiboyina and Emily Logan.
