How to Adult: Preparing for finals, one tip at a time

Successful study suggestions for guaranteed success

As another semester comes to an end, it is time to take your finals and show what you have learned. 

It can be overwhelming to study for finals, especially when you have to take multiple at once. 

While there is a lot of pressure to ace your exams, there are multiple ways to prepare for it, relieve some pressure and guarantee good grades.

Before I begin, I must tell you to take advantage of class time. 

Pay close attention, take notes in a way that makes sense for you. If that is not enough, here are a few study tips that can help you prepare for finals. 

You want to start off by creating a plan. Make a list of all the exams you need to take, a to-do list if you will. Creating a plan allows you to prioritize your studies and see what you need to focus on first and so on.

Start studying as early as possible. Think about how much time you have before your exams come up. Set some time aside just for this. It does not matter how much you study as long as you do it. 

Find a good study spot. Whether it is a quiet library, a busy café or outside in the sun, find a place that helps you concentrate. 

It is recommended that you leave your room, seeing as you will want to lay in bed and fall asleep. However, if studying in your room works for you, go for it.

Study with a partner or a group. Studying with someone else can be beneficial. 

They can help clarify any problems you may encounter, and they can test your knowledge on certain subjects by quizzing you. 

Beware of getting sidetracked. It is okay to have off-topic conversations here and there so long as you go back to studying. 

Create flashcards. You can use regular index cards or use websites like Quizlet and Anki. 

When you create flashcards, you are rereading and rewriting important information, this is already helping you become familiar with the terms. 

Once you are done creating flashcards, you can quiz yourself and see what you have memorized and work on the cards you have not memorized. 

Try not to spend too much time on one subject, this could burn you out or make you lose your concentration. Make sure to take a few breaks here and there. 

Give your body and brain a time to refresh and relax for a bit. Try studying for 25 minutes and take a break for five. 

It is important to remember that not all study tips work for everyone. 

Experiment with a few and see what works best for you. Good luck!