There’s no sugarcoating it: studying for final exams is extremely painful. These monstrous tests are standing in the way between you and your summer break, but that doesn’t mean that you can slack off and sip iced tea by the pool. Now is the time to focus, as these test grades reflect the hard work that you’ve put in throughout the entire school year. Learn how to create an effective study plan so that you can walk into your tests stress-free and confident.
1. Prioritize the tests that matter the most
It’s a mistake to consider all of your finals equal if you’re materially better at one subject than another. Some students think that they should commit equal time to studying for each test. They’re taking away from their opportunity to really commit time where they need it.
2. Aim to begin studying at least one month in advance
Everyone knows that studying a little bit over a long period of time is absolutely, undeniably the right way to study, and yet we are all terrible at actually putting this plan into effect. The best time to start studying is at the beginning of the class. Set aside a little time each week to sit down and organize your notes and think about what’s going well and what’s going badly. Three to four weeks ahead of time is the latest that you want to create a study plan for yourself. Cramming is toxic.
3. Take snack breaks
When you study, your brain consumes glucose. Take a five-minute break every hour to let your body produce more fuel for your studying. Take a walk, have a healthy snack (almonds, fruit, and yogurt are good choices), and stretch. Taking breaks will actually improve your studying.
4. Know when to stop studying
Within 12 to 24 hours of the test, it’s time to stop studying. You’re not going to learn a lot of new content. The likelihood is much higher that you’re going to stress yourself out and confuse yourself. For the last minute studier, flashcards can be a good resource. They can earn you a few more points on test day, and it’s a much healthier thing to do than starting on page one of the textbook.
5. Naturally energize yourself the morning of the test
Do something stimulating the morning of the test. Don’t sit down and watch a back-to-back marathon of American Idol; that’s just going to zap your energy level. Instead, read a book, do a crossword puzzle, take your dog for a walk, or get some exercise. Do something that’s going to make you feel alive and positive, and will build up your energy level and confidence in the 24 hours before the test. Stay away from caffeine and energy drinks! Your hand will shake so that you can’t write coherent words, and you may crash in the middle of the test.
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