Finals Countdown
Don't wait for the two minute warning!
There's really no effective "hurry-up" offense to get through final exams. You need to go into them as well-prepared as possible, with a well-practiced set of strategies to get you the grades you want.
First, answer these questions
- When are your final exams?
- What other obligations do you have over the next few weeks?
- How much does each exam count toward your final grade in each course?
- Which exams are comprehensive and which cover less material?
- What is your realistic goal for a grade on each exam? For each course?
- What types of questions will be asked on each exam? Objective or essay? Memory or application level?
- How much time will you need to study, review, and practice for each exam?
Now, figure out your strategies by
- Determining what study tactics or strategies will work best for each exam
- making and using flash cards to memorize terms or formulas
- creating charts or matrices to show how ideas are organized and connected
- doing practice problems in math or science
- rewriting and summarizing notes from lecture and text for essay exams
- Distribute your study time over the days before the finals, planning short (2-3 hour) sessions
- Planning for practice testing or "dress rehearsal" for each exam
- Monitoring yourself to be sure you are sticking to your plan