How to Triumph Over College Finals
College finals week is a hectic and frantic time
where days just aren’t long enough. Students have so much to do that it’s
almost impossible not to procrastinate or pull all-nighters. The key to finals
success is time management and correct study techniques , so take a look at these
tips as finals week too quickly approaches.
Study
Hopefully this is obvious…right? The key to
success for any test is to study, but don’t wait until the night before your
exam to start studying. This is easier said than done, but remember that stress
comes from the fact that you’ve procrastinated and waited until 12 hours before
a test to start studying. So the solution? Start studying at least a week
before the exam to give your brain the chance to absorb the information. This
is much more effective than cramming and you won’t stress yourself out this
way.
Regular
Sleep
Usually lack of sleep or even all-nighters go hand
in hand with procrastination. Remember that keeping your sleep schedule as
close to normal during finals week is important. Sleep is your body’s time to
recharge. When you’re burnt out, studying is hopeless and remembering any
information you crammed in to your brain the night before will likely be gone.
You will be less stressed, more productive, and your body will thank you for a
good night’s sleep. Do everything you can to avoid all-night cram sessions!
Work in
Blocks
Try studying in chunks of time ranging from 30 to
40 minutes. It has been proven that your brain will retain more information
when studying for short amounts of time than for hours at a time. However, when
you do study for short amounts of time, fully dedicate yourself to just
studying- don’t get distracted by Facebook, texts or what your friends are
doing. Here are some more tips for effective studying
Get out of
Your Room
When it’s time for a study break, take a step away
from your study environment so you can refresh your mind. If it’s nice outside,
take a quick walk around the block or go for a short bike ride to clear your
mind. If you’re taking a longer study break, try going to the gym. Sitting for
long periods of time can make a person antsy, so what better way to unleash
some of that energy than working out? Engaging your full body will help take
your mind off of studying so when it’s time to study again, it will be a fresh
start.
Reward
Yourself
After you take your exam, reward yourself for all of your
hard work- you deserve it! Do something you like, such as shopping, a movie or
maybe out to eat at your favorite restaurant. Being a college student is no
walk in the park, so after you work hard don’t hesitate to give yourself a pat
on the back.
Studying for finals is important, but remember that you
don’t have an endless supply of brainpower. There is no point in beating
yourself up when you are feeling exhausted from studying, so take a break to
let your mind recharge. Keep these tips in mind not only during finals week,
but also for other tests that you have and your brain will thank you. Good
luck, students and happy finals week!
Labels: Energy Tips from the 5-Hour Experts, staying alert and focused
Posted
on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 12:58 PM.
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