Five Tips for Surviving Academic Finals
Finals week really isn't fair. You've got tests in every class, not enough time to study, and the holiday season just around the corner. But like it or not, the end of the semester is coming and you better be prepared. Here are a few tips that will help make Finals a bit less terrible!
Pay Attention To Your Teacher
If you want to earn a decent grade in any class, it's wise to listen to what your teacher has to say. But around finals, make a special effort to focus on the material they advise you to focus on. Your teacher has actually seen the final they are going to give out and will probably give you hints as to what will be tested. No matter how evil they appear to be, all teachers want you to do well on the test and have the best possible shot at a good grade. Nobody likes to give out F's at the end of the year and they don't want other teachers to get the impression that they can't teach. Listen up when they give last minute tips because they are telling you exactly what to study!
Use the Review Packet
Most teachers will hand out a review packet in the last few days before the final. This is worth its weight in gold! While your teacher may drop a few hints, the study packet also tells you exactly what to study. If you see it in the review guide, focus on it! Learn the stuff that the teacher has deemed important enough to include and go over it enough times to be able to answer questions without notes or help. Testing is stressful and difficult; in order to be ready for the challenge, you should know everything on the review guide cold.
No, Seriously. Go Use the Review Packet.
I'm serious. Go find the review packets your teachers handed out. Don't leave them at the bottom of your backpack, squashed like a bug by your enormous math book. If you can't solve a problem on the study guide, you probably won't be able to solve a problem on the test when the pressure is on. Students who perform poorly on tests usually overestimate their ability to do well in the days prior to the exam. Use the review packet as an honest assessment of how you are doing and carefully examine every question you get wrong!
Stay Healthy the Week of the Test
Don't use finals as an excuse to eat poorly, miss sleep, and stop exercising. Acing a test is as much physical as it is mental. If you don't feel well, you aren't going to be able to concentrate for the long periods of testing you need to suffer through. I know it's hard to fit the time in, but seek out decent food, a reasonable bedtime, and an hour at the gym. You'll thank me when you are fully awake during the last test of the day and your friends are fast asleep!
Use All the Time on the Test
Please, please, please...use all the time allotted to you to complete the test. Don't work hard for the entire semester and quit at the last minute when you get tired and bored. It absolutely kills me to watch students turn in a test that's half done with 10 minutes still left on the clock! Imagine you were playing professional basketball: Would you quit playing your hardest before the buzzer rang? Nope. And you shouldn't give up on your test either!
Good luck on test day!
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Got a tip I missed? Leave it in the comments for everyone else to enjoy!