1. Divide up your time.
• Spend Time Studying for the Exams that Carry the Most Weight.
• Focus Your Time on Difficult Classes – spend the majority of your time on the classes where your grade is borderline.
2. Stay alert.
• Get a good night’s SLEEP! Your brain can’t function properly without 7-8 hours sleep a night.
• Run stairs or do some jumping-jacks. Exercise gets blood flowing and increases your alertness.
• It has been proven that the smell of cinnamon and peppermint can help you stay alert. So chew on some gum if you’re feeling worn out.
3. Remember what you study.
• Recite, recite, recite! Recitation will burn facts into your mind. Recite the material out loud until you’re sure that you will be able to recall it.
4. Study selectively.
• Decide which information is most important and concentrate on it. Resist the temptation to try and learn all of the important-looking material.
• As you go through your notes and textbook find important definitions, concepts and equations. Write them down on 3” X 5” note cards. This will help you identify what you need to know, and you’ll have a handy set of flash cards. The process of rewriting may also help you memorize the content.
5. Eat a good breakfast.
• Eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam. Nutritious foods will keep your nerves steady and your brain engaged.
Need help/encouragement? Stop by the Academic Success Center in VanZoeren 261 for your personalized study session and a free deck of ASC Final Exam Study Strategies cards.