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The tnAchieves Blog
Preparing for Finals
November 18, 2020
Finals week - a time that comes with stress and anxiety for many college students. However, finals do not have to be stressful. Remember, the point of finals is to show your professor all that you have learned over the semester. When preparing for your first finals week as a college student, you may be asking, “How do I study?” It can be confusing as you figure out how to prioritize your school work while preparing for each exam and looking ahead to the next term. Below are some helpful tips for preparing for your final exams and reducing stress overall.
Be proud of yourself.
Give yourself a pat on the back for all of the hard work that you have put into your school work this semester. You should be proud of the time and effort that went into all of your work. Use finals as a way to end the semester on a good note and finish with strong grades. You can do it!
Use a study guide.
While some professors may provide a study guide, others may not. It is important to compile all of your relevant notes and create a guide that outlines the important information that you expect to see on the exam. If you are unsure of where to begin, reach out to your professor or your tnAchieves coach for help!
Ask questions.
The most important tool to a college student is the ability to ask a question. Your professors are there to help you succeed in the course, so be sure to lean on them. Once you have compiled your notes and created a study guide, ask questions to clear up any confusion or to correct any information that you missed!
Attend any available study sessions.
Occasionally, a professor or someone from the Learning Center will offer study sessions for final exams. If you cannot find a study session through your school, set one up! Use Zoom, FaceTime, Google Hangout or other means of communication to form a study group with your peers.
Do not wait until the last minute.
Many times, you will hear about college students staying up all night before an exam. Do not be one of those students! You will not be able to focus when you walk in to a two hour test with one hour of sleep. Be sure to make time on your planner or calendar to study well in advance of the exam and get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
Set up checkpoints.
While you are studying, set up quiz questions for yourself to make sure that you are absorbing the information. Use flashcards, Quizlet or a study buddy to quiz your knowledge and ensure you are understanding the information.
Rest.
Finals week can be chaotic and stressful. It is normal to worry about your grades, but remember you are smart and capable! Amidst the hours of studying, reading over old notes and finding new ways to learn the information, be sure to rest. The best way to ensure that you are going into each exam as prepared as possible is to be well prepared and well rested.
Reach out!
If you run into any issues or need someone to talk to about your study plan, always be sure to reach out to the Learning Center on your campus as well as our team at tnAchieves. We know that all of you will be successful and we are here to help in any way that we can! You’ve got this!
