With exam week right around the corner, here are some ways Ferris students and faculty advise you to study for your finals and finish the semester off strong.
First, preparation is key. Maintaining your physical and mental health while keeping your physical space in mind are three ways to prepare yourself ready for the long week of exams.
Prep work:
Maintain your physical health- Exercise, eat healthy and have a consistent sleep pattern of seven to eight hours per night.
Monitor your mental health- Make time for yourself, practice mindfulness and be confident because you got this.
Check your physical space- Find a place to study that’s comfortable and has the least number of distractions and make sure to declutter this space before you study.
Biology freshman Janayia Edwards explains that “brain dumping” helped with her procrastination before exams.
“I write down whatever comes to mind, and then I review my homework and start remembering things I learned in class,” Edwards said.
Staying organized is one way to make sure you stay on top of things. Prioritizing your assignments and scheduling your time will help you focus on checking everything off your to-do list.
Get organized:
Prioritize- Figure out which projects, papers and exams are due. Based on that, decide which are more important to complete first.
Make a schedule- Clear your calendar of things that are not essential.
Chemistry junior Ava Tavarone uses her organization tactics to make sure she has enough time to study and to take care of herself.
“I write out a plan for the day,” Tavarone said. “Like when I have to go to class, go to the gym and do extracurricular activities. I always try to make sure I have at least an hour a day set so I can study for my exams.”
When it comes to studying for exams, everyone has their way of doing it. It’s important to find a way that works for you.
Studying tips:
Study in small chunks of about 30 minutes to an hour and switch up studying between different subjects.
Create flashcards, rhymes, phrases or acronyms for the things that you need to remember.
Create practice quizzes on Quizlet or Knowit.
Color code your notes and use pictures to visualize what you’re studying.
Make sure to pace yourself and take breaks when you feel necessary to give yourself time to destress.
Create a study group with classmates to review harder material.
After studying and right before the exam, make sure to focus on your wellbeing.
Before the test:
Put things into perspective and remember that one test does not determine if you will be a successful student.
Make sure to be prepared for the test but don’t cram too much information because this will create test anxiety.
Arrive positive and prepared and know that this test is going to be okay.
While you’re taking the exam, stay calm and positive.
During the test:
Take a deep breath and use positive, affirming self-talk to calm your nerves.
Expect the exam may have some curve balls but don’t dwell on one question for too long.
Congratulations! You finished your exam. Now what?
After the test:
Make sure to reward yourself. Take a night off with friends and go to a movie or have dinner out.
Remember the test is over and how you can’t change the outcome now. Do not punish yourself for something you think you did wrong during the exam.
Director of Academic Literacies and Structured Learning Assistance Center Karen Royster-James, advises students to believe in themselves, especially during finals week.
“I just know that students around study time get nervous, but they can do it because I know students can succeed,” Royster-James said.
Additional resources:
YouTube and Khan Academy have a lot of great resources if you are a visual or auditory learner.
If you experience test anxiety or need relaxation tips, please contact the Personal Counseling Center at Birkam Health Center at 231-591-5968 or email them at thepcc@nullferris.edu
During the week of exams walk-in tutoring is available Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for 30-minute consultations in the Academic Literacies, Tutoring Services and Structured Learning Assistance Center in FLITE room 120, or you can reach them at (231) 591-3543 or ASC@nullFerris.edu
Remember: The last day of classes is Friday, Dec. 8 and exam week is Dec. 11 through Dec. 15.