With final exams and end-of-year assignments just around the corner, It can be a stressful time for both parents and students alike. Preparing for an exam is just as important as taking the exam itself. Finishing school with a strong transcript can give students a leg up in college and scholarship applications but many students aren't sure where to start when it comes to studying or may feel overwhelmed with the pressure to get good grades. Similar to organizing a home, studying for finals includes organizing information that you have learned throughout the entire semester. It can be an overwhelming assignment, so we’ve put together 6 quick tips to help make this time of the year a little easier.
Make a Schedule
For most students, there are usually a lot of subjects that need to be studied in a relatively short amount of time. This may seem like a lot, especially when you're not cramming it all in one day, but it's all feasible with the right schedule! Having a physical written down schedule helps to visualize and organize your time into the best possible routine. First, write down all of your commitments and then fill in study time around them in a way that makes sense for you. Make sure to schedule time for eating and relaxing as well!
Clear Out Old Worksheets
After a long semester, I'm sure that worksheets and old syllabi have piled up all around the house, in the backpack, and across the desk. To start off studying with a clear mind and to make space for all of that information, clear out all of your old paperwork. Make sure to keep any relevant material to help you study, and be sure to recycle all of the paperwork deemed unnecessary.
Organize Your Study Material
Keeping a clear space means keeping a clear mind. Organizing your belongings before studying is a great idea to get your head in the game. This could be as simple as organizing your notes into folders and keeping them in your backpack. Or, if you have the space, you could designate a portion of your desk or a spot in your bedroom. Having your study materials in order will help signal to your brain that it's time to switch into learning mode and may help you work more efficiently.
Organize Your Study Space
Having a comfortable and controlled environment where you can focus on your studies should be essential for your final exam preparation. Designate a space in your home like your desk or a spare table as a place where you can concentrate as you study. Set up all the tools you need such as pens, pencils, and highlighters as well as all of your notes. You don't want to spend half of your study session looking for your missing book or trying to find a highlighter that isn't dried out.
Set Study Goals
Setting goals is a great way to keep yourself on track. For each study session, set a goal to keep track of what you're studying or revising. Goals can be things like completing a work assignment or finishing a practice test. You can list out your goals as soon as you start your study session, or you can set them at the end of the session for the next one. This helps you meet deadlines and keeps you accountable as to when you set a goal, you are making a commitment to yourself.
Take Care of Yourself
And finally, Take care of yourself! Both mental and physical health are super important. In the days leading up to an exam, students should remember to take care of themselves. This means getting a total of eight hours of sleep every night, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate amounts of exercise, and eating a good diet every day. Remember that students can think better when they have a full stomach, so don't skip breakfast the morning of the test!
Relax
And finally, even though this is a stressful time, be sure to set time aside to relax. To parents, be understanding of your student's needs and encourage them when they do well AND when they do not do so well. And, to the students, even though this may be a stressful time, it is only a couple of weeks and soon enough you’ll be relaxing during summer vacation :))
Good luck!!