With finals right around the corner, the stress of studying can be overwhelming. However, not finding the right studying style makes studying even more stressful. . Therefore, here are some tips that can help you with studying effectively:
Before studying:
Create a schedule
You need to create a study schedule so that you aren’t just “winging” it. Creating a schedule helps you focus on a specific subject for a period of time. This helps spread everything out so you aren’t going back and forth on different assignments.
Take breaks
Remember to add breaks as you figure out your study schedule to ensure that you aren’t burning out. For example, you can study for 30 minutes, then take a 5- to 8-minute break. Keeping the break time small is good as it ensures you to carry on the concentration once you return to the study session. Personally, with any break over 10 minutes, I tend to catch myself scrolling and procrastinating. But for those who have better self-discipline, you can also skip the small break and add it to the next small break as a longer break.
Create a practical study space
Studying in a cluttered space significantly disrupts your thought process because it distracts you. So before you start studying, remember to clear your surroundings and remove any distractions, such as irrelevant materials and/or digital devices, away from your sight. Then, make sure you have all the supplies needed and have them out on the desk.
Organization
Organization is important, but most people do not know how to properly do it. Regardless, one way to start organization is to sort your notes in order, or to make sure you have the notes of the chapter(s) needed to study or review. If you need more information on what chapter(s) will show up on the final, always refer to the syllabus given by your subject teacher at the beginning of the school year. Use the syllabus as a study guide so you know what to focus on and what you might need to brush up on. Organizing your notes might also help you, having them in order can help when you need to look back at a certain unit.
Studying:
Creating flashcards
Creating flashcards for terms, chemical equations, and formulas helps with the memorization of core concepts. . Using flashcards and studying whenever you have time helps encode information into your long term memory. Studying your flash card for just 30 minutes a day will effectively boost memorization.
Office Hours
Many teachers are willing to help you if you ask, that is what Me Time was designed for. If you are having trouble with a lesson, sign up for that teacher’s Me Time to ask them for help. This is also a time to go with your friends so you can have an extra person to learn from or with. If your friend understands the topic you can go to the teacher’s Me Time so you can get help from them but also ask the teacher any questions you have that your friend can’t answer. If you friend also needs help then you can both learn so you can rely on each other if you zone out.
Snacks
Snacking is a good way to give your brain and body the energy it needs to study. Healthy snacks that you can eat with one hand is a great choice during study sessions. . If you are planning to drink energy drinks, don’t drink them all at once – you will have a caffeine crash. Instead, space your energy drink out. This applies as well if you are considering eating sugary snacks.
Sleep
All-nighters might sound cool, but you need sleep to focus. Getting a good night’s sleep can be challenging when you have lots to do but with a full night of sleep your mind would be crowded with tiredness. So, make the most of what you can do with your study time to get a full 7-8 hours of sleep before your finals.
Remember once finals week is over, there is a break. End this semester strong and ace your finals.