Finals are less than 2 weeks away. Studying for finals is important, but can be stressful. Here are some strategies to help you make a plan to pass all your finals.
1. Make a study schedule
By having a study schedule, you will remember to study for each final a bit each day. You could do this by using a planner or an app on your phone that reminds you. Stick to this schedule and don’t forget to leave space for breaks, as you do not want to overwhelm yourself.
2. Get Rid of Distractions
Technology can be distracting, especially when studying. I recommend turning your phone to Do Not Disturb or completely off, so that you are giving your full attention to the material that you are studying. It takes much longer to study when you are texting or on social media, so keep your device out of sight and focus on acing your finals!
3. Go to the Library
Morris Library is right on campus and is open for extended hours during finals week as well as the week before finals. During finals week, they will be open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 AM-12 AM and back to their regular hours on Friday from 7:30 AM-6 PM. It is a perfect place for studying in groups or by yourself. Floors 1, 6, and 7 are collaborative zones. Quiet study zones are floors 2-4 and silent zones are the basement and floor 5. There are fourteen group study rooms that are also available in the library. Drop-in usage is welcome, but priority is given to groups with reservations. Check out more information on how to reserve a study room here.
4. Have a Study Playlist
If you’re like me, you may like to study with music playing in the background. Phyllis Medina, PhD, program director of psychology at University of Maryland Global Campus states, “The right choice of music, such as instrumental or ambient music, can help block out distractions, improve concentration, and maintain attention during study sessions.” I find that I am able to block out distractions or chatter around me when I have music playing in my ears. Check out my study playlist here!
5. Change Up Your Scenery
Another great location to study at is the study lounge on the second floor of the Student Center. It’s right on campus and offers a calm place for students. Ethernet connections are available as well as outlets for charging your laptop or phone. The International Lounge is also on the second floor and has couches for you to lounge on with a view of Thompson Woods while you study. If you want a relaxing environment to study in, I highly recommend checking out the Student Center!
6. Calculate Your Grade
Using a final grade calculator could also be very useful. This website allows you to calculate what grade you need to get on the final exam to pass or receive an A in the class. It also helps to give you an idea of which exams you need to focus on the most. For example, if you need a 90 on one of your finals and a 60 on another, you know you need to study more to get the 90. I highly recommend using this resource to make sure that you succeed on your final exams!
If you use these resources to study for finals, you will most definitely be prepared! Stay focused on the material and start studying now to prevent procrastination. Good luck Salukis!
