Studying for Finals (Or not?)

It is the day before that big final of yours and you are just cracking the book, thinking "If I go over it all now it will be fresh in my head for tomorrow!". Wrong! This is the worst possible thing you could do. The absorbing capacity of your brain can only be increased slowly over time. If you try to cram everything in in one sitting, especially the day before the test, you can cause yourself unwanted anxiety and have more of a chance to go completely blank on the test. Never start studying the day before.

Now for all of you out there that are saying, "but my final is tomorrow and I just started studying, how can I still receive a good grade on the test?", you can get a good grade tomorrow, but I suggest that you follow my pointers before the next exam. These pointers are fast quick and easy to follow. I am a straight A student and now that I am in college, I am doing quite well.

First, take your book home at least twice a week. Skim through the chapter before you start discussing it in class. If you know what you are talking about, you can get into the class discussion. This will help you to understand the topics at hand. Second, make sure you go directly to your teacher if you are lost. The teacher should be glad to help you get back on track before you are too far behind. Third and most important of them all is don't cram! Space out your studying over a period of time. What I mean by this is: start studying about two to three days before the test. Take a chapter or a section or two at a time and go over it throughoughly. Look at the vocabulary in the section, do some practice problems and questions if you can. Do this for about an hour, then take a break and begin again. Taking fifteen to twenty minute breaks gives your mind time to relax. This will help you comprehend what you have just gone over.

If you are already at the panic stage and the test is tomorrow while convieniently "forgot" about it, you still have hope. Put the book down and take a five minute break. Now put away the pen and paper and try to find some chalk and a chalk board, a dry erase board, or even a pad of paper and a crayon. Yes, this may sound weird but I have figured out that if you find some other way to study, your brain seems to comprehend better. This may be because your brain has been "fried" with all the cramming and just needs a break. Use the utensils I mentioned and write down all you know about the subject in question. Look through your book, pick out a topic and write as much as you can about it. By doing this you will have visual aides to memorize and you are studying by making them.

These are my tips should help you get a good grade, and if not, they should at least help you improve your studying skills. One more tip that may help is: get a good nights sleep before the test and eat a good breakfast. This will decrease the chance of you falling asleep at it. Group studying is also a good diversion from cramming. Take these tips to heart and help your brain!