Study Strategies for Finals

1. Study Strategies for Finals You can do it with Proper Planning Russell Conwell Center

2. 4 stages to consider • List your tasks • Format your calendar • Prioritize and distribute your work • Understand and accept the challenge you are facing • Review/prepare and relax

3. 1. The Task List Must Be Complete--include all courses • List all assignments due before the Final • Research and papers • Reading assignments • Visits to the Instructor • Group work with classmates • List those assignments and readings you have not done

4. … a really complete task list • Reviewing class notes • Reviewing text • Reviewing or writing end-of-chapter questions • Reviewing and organizing in-text notes • Reviewing previous tests • Outlining key concepts of the course • Discovering the format for the Exam • Listing probable questions • Write out (or outline) effective answers

5. Test Format Affects Study Strategies • Multiple Choice tests require focus on terms and contrasting concepts • Use class notes and text hints • Notes and practice should focus on vocabulary and comparisons • Essay tests require development of key concepts and relationships • Practice requires essay outlines and actual practice essays

6. 2. Format your calendar—scheduled activities • Enter actual due dates and exams • Enter appointments • Enter personal events which cannot be deferred until after exams • Enter group study sessions or class tutorials • Enter meetings with instructors, TA’s or tutors

7. Format your calendar—distributed study activities • Place study activities sequentially, recognizing exam dates • Estimate time required for each task in sequence • e.g.: • notes study/unit--:20 • Summary questions or comment--:20 • 4 units for course=2:40 • Assess time required for key study activities, and place on calendar by counting back from exam date

8. Format your calendar—balancing studies and life • Examine each day of the Finals period for honest-to-goodness realism • Can you do what the calendar says? • Can you move something so that the commitment is realistic? • If you think the calendar is realistic, then get started

9. 3. Understand and accept the Finals Challenge • Consider your calendar as a contract with yourself • Be certain your sleep and health are protected until the end of the term • Then you can crash • You’ll have time for fun • When you’ve done what’s on the calendar for the day, you’ve got to believe you’re done—but not before!

10. Accept the Finals Challenge—watch your progress • The principle of this strategy is planned, consistent, steady progress • Assignments are completed • Back work gets caught up • Study and review to build up knowledge and confidence

11. 4. Review/Prepare and Relax • As you approach the date of each final you will be doing less new work, more review, and you will find there is time for your mind to settle and your body to relax

12. Each Exam Is a Celebration! • Your readiness makes each exam a celebration—a victory • As each exam is finished, your own calendar will show more free space • The end of the last exam is time for . . . .Celebration for a Job Well Done!

13. Remember …. • You can always come to an RCC workshop for more detailed information and suggestions. • To see an RCC Educational Counselor for an extensive individual review. • To see your Academic Advisor or staff in one of the University Support Centers (e.g. the RCC, the Writing Center, MSRC etc.)