Keep Calm and Study: Ways to Study for Finals
Written by Chloe Crawford, Former Student on Tuesday, January 13, 2015
We all know that school can be pretty stressful with homework, sports, and different events and with finals coming up, the stress can get even worse. Here are some ways to de-stress and study in order to stay calm and ace finals.
1.) Reorganize your notes. Highlight important ideas using different colors, so that as you flip through your notes the colors will catch your eye. As you review notes, you’ll also be studying. It’s a good way to review what is important, what your main topics are, and what you need to focus on.
2.) Organize a group study session! It’s a good way to get some help on topics that aren’t your strongest point. Invite some friends over to your house or get together at the library and find a quiet place to study together. Just make sure that you’re working with people who are actually going to study and help each other and not spend a majority of their time talking and distracting others.
3.) A more fun way to study that has been suggested by some students, is to reward yourself with a treat. One example is to read a couple of paragraphs, then to reward yourself with a small treat such as candy. A picture online shows a text book, and every couple of paragraphs the student placed a gummy bear next to the end of the sentence. This will make you want to get the work done even faster!
4.) A good way to stay calm during both before and during finals is to meditate. When you’re taking a break, try meditating for a couple of minutes. The correct way to meditate is to sit down cross-legged and take slow, deep breaths in and out. Meditation is about relaxing and focusing on just your breathing. You can also use this technique during your actual test. If you’re having a moment of panic or distress, close your eyes for a minute and take a couple of breaths.
5.) If you’re the kind of person that can’t just sit still, try letting some steam out by exercising. Take a small break and if you don’t have a gym nearby you can always exercise in your room by doing simple exercises, such as jogging in place for a minute, doing a couple of pushups and sit-ups, and some jumping jacks. Just get moving for a little bit.
6.) One of the most important things to do when studying is to make sure to take breaks. Some people like to just get everything done all at once and cram. That’s not a good choice. Your mind needs some rest in order to process what you’ve just studied. One good way to work is to study for about half an hour, and then take a five minute break. Get a snack, listen to music or read a book for a little while to calm down.
