Here at COSA we wish all of you scholars good luck and the strength you need to endure hours of cramming. But remember at the end, all that studying will pay off, so keep it up. Our very own Mira Yuzon put together a list of tips to help you study and do well this finals season.
1) Manage your time wisely!
2) Schedule and set goals for the day. If you are having a hard time concentrating go to an area (library or café, your room, friend’s place, etc) to study.
3) Create an environment where you can focus. Stay away from distraction whether it is your friends, the computer (facebook, youtube, etc), television, etc. Be smart with time!
4) Prioritize tasks. If you haven’t already read all the materials that you will be tested on, do not try to read everything at a panic. This will cause you to not retain much. Instead, start with your notes and then bspace if your class has one, and then read. In this way, you will already have a better idea of the reading materials instead of trying to figure it all out on your own.
5) Discipline yourself. This does not mean that go sleep in the library because it’ll be open 24-hours starting Thursday, Dec. 10, but follow 1-4 tips. Also, part of disciplining yourself is also taking care of yourself. Make sure you eat on time (or close to it) or workout. Take care of yourself because once you get sick, then that won’t help you much.
6) Manage stress. The best way to do it is work out. Also managing your time wisely will dramatically reduce your stress level. If you are having trouble, go to the Tang center and talk to someone. This may help you. OR if you don’t think it won’t help, vent on your friend, your parents, etc. I’m sure they’ll listen, but then afterwards, get on with your business. STUDY! You can complain for 5 mins, but once your time is up, get up on it and study!!!STUDY!! STUDY!!! STUDY!!!
7) Motivate yourself. Whatever works for you. If you are super excited for the winter break, then use that to motivate yourself to study. Don’t get too excited though because this may cause more distraction.
8) Study in groups. Form study groups, collaborate with your classmates or friends to go over some of the readings together. Recite the formulas, equations, etc. that you need in your test. It’s a good way to remember it. Also, do study questions or problems to refresh your memory; it’s also a great way to practice!!
9) Utilize the Student Learning center. There is tutoring available there! Get help and be early because it gets pretty full.
10) REMEMBER: whatever you study, do not try to retain everything because that is unlikely (or maybe you are very special that you can). For most people, thinking in terms of class themes help. It’ll categorize the concepts you are reading—it will organize your thoughts about which concepts are important to remember and the fluff that the authors included.
Thank you for that Mira.
We wish you all the best wrapping up this semester!
