College is not only an institution of higher learning, but also a place where students figure out what they want to do with their lives. It is a place where many different students with different ages, personalities, and reasons for attending the institution come together to improve their lives and perhaps the lives of others around them. Students differ, but they all have something in common when it comes to the classroom, final examinations. Final examinations, also known as finals, are the last examinations in a course of study. So how do you prepare for these exams?
Finals can be very stressful for students, especially if they are the determining factor for graduating. But if you prepare yourself ahead of time and focus, it will ultimately lower your stress level.
“I agree finals are kind of stressful,” senior mass communications major Brent Watson said. “But if you are a senior, you have been here long enough to know the routine of how to prepare yourself for these exams.”
If one finds that one studies for too long then it can seem much more of a hassle than it really has to be. Designating a certain amount of time for studying including breaks is a good way to focus.
“I try to eat and take 30 minute mental breaks so I don’t exhaust my mind and quickly tire my body,” Watson said.
Final exams cause high stress levels for many students because the final exam can make or break their grade.
“Finals put more stress on you because you can be doing good in a class and do bad on the final and your grade will probably drop,” business management major Jasmine Collins said. “But the finals can also put stress on you because they may be the last chance you have to better your grade.”
“Finals are overrated,” senior marketing major Sherron Harmon said. “You’re taking one test that can determine your final grade and you most likely won’t even remember the information obtained in that class after you graduate.”
Some ways to study could include group studies, reading your book or class notes, and trying to understand the basics concepts of the subjects then applying them to your study material.
“Finals are like another test for me,” accounting major Camillka Redwood said. “I know the test is coming up so I start studying ahead of time, so if I have any questions I can ask my professor to explain,” said Redwood.
Make sure you study the materials and readings assigned by your professor, and do not be afraid to go ask questions if you do not understand something. Making out a schedule of the days and times you have exams can also help.
“I usually study my subjects in the order of the exam schedule, and spend more time on the subjects I know I am struggling with,” said Watson.
Most students say that if you prepare yourself from the beginning of the semester, finals will be as just another exam, but if you slack throughout the semester finals become stressful.
“I do my best on every test so that I don’t have to worry when midterms or finals come around,” freshmen computer engineering major Kaylar Brown said. “Only thing I always do is play with my Nerf ball while studying. I guess it helps me concentrate.”
Prioritizing is a good strategy. “Prioritizing means learning when and how to say no to invitations from friends and temptations such as TV, video games, and sports,” as stated by an article on insider.com. http://www.articleinsider.com/article/194635 “Good study habits include knowing when to sit down and do the work.”
“It’s so easy to get distracted,” first year graduate student counseling psychology major George Moss said. “But you have to focus and study because you’re here to better yourself anyway and get an education, and not to chill around with your friends.”
Start preparing for your finals now, so the task of test taking will not be as difficult. Talk to your professors, study hard, and eat right.