How do you study for final exams?

[25thhour]

I am in my first year University and I am having trouble trying to set a schedule to study for finals, (how much time to spend on each course, when to start studying, when to stop) its really annoying and I would just like some seniors opinions on what worked and what didn't.

So far I have allotted my time so that I have roughly 35 hours of study time (24 for chem and the rest for Calc) over 4 days.

[Frank Munoz]

I'm just gonna keep playing black ops 2
~

[25thhour]

Originally Posted by Frank Munoz

I'm just gonna keep playing black ops 2
~

Seems Legit

[iCeCuBEz v2]

lol i spent 0 hours studying for calc but i got a knack for math stuff

i usually just cram the night before.... procrastinate until like 2 in the morning -_-

[smartdude1212]

The amount of time I allot to studying for a final depends on a few things:

1. How well I currently know the material: If I know the basics, I'll spend a short amount of time on reinforcing those concepts and then I'll focus on the finer details.

2. How well I am currently doing in the class: This somewhat follows from #1, since I find that if I am doing phenomenal in a class, I already know the material inside and out. If, perhaps, my mark is lower than I would like, I also find that I am more motivated to study.

3. The difficulty of the assignments/midterms: This is particularly relevant to math classes, and how much of a bastard the professor can be with the material. If I write what I find to be an easy midterm and the professor says that the final will be similar to the midterm but just twice as long, I won't study for it nearly as much (especially if my finals are bunched together and I have to prioritize). However, if I got brutalized by a midterm, I would probably study twice as much if I thought it would help.

4. How much time I have between finals: If I write two finals on the same day, I'll choose to study for the one that I think will be the most difficult. If I think they will be equally as difficult, I'll favour the one that's worth more toward my final grade. If that's the same, I'll just split the time equally between the two, study a tad more for the earlier final, and then cram in the few hours I'd have before the next one.

Personally, I don't think it's ever too early to start studying for finals. I would, however, avoid studying for several different subjects within a short time period unless the finals are basically on the same day. I also have a bad habit of not studying until finals are approaching, whereas it would be beneficial to regularly review the material.

As for quantifying a time, I find 10-15 hours per subject is personally reasonable, which can vary greatly depending on the above factors. I start by writing out the important information from my notes (which is a quick process considering I've already done most of the work in preparation for midterms), and I also make a question sheet using the examples from class if I feel that they are relevant. Of course, in the case of higher level math classes, this just involves knowing a variety of theorems and their corresponding proofs (what fun!).

I also consider going over the assignments and redoing questions related to what I strongly believe will show up on the final. This also reinforces my knowledge.

As for eating habits during finals, just don't eat crap. I love having finals in December because I can devour mandarin oranges like nobody's business, and there's nothing as satisfying as having notes that smell like oranges the next day. I also drink a ridiculous amount of water, and the urination breaks allow me to think about the material without having the notes in front of me (a good, forceful way to test my memory).

Goddammit what a lengthy post... but hopefully it will give you some ideas. If you don't love school like I do, following all of the above would be rather difficult. But good luck with your finals!

[TheThong]

I usually study (cram) a week before final exams, and listen to white noise for hours. Music with lyrics/background-environmental noise is too distracting. White noise tends to help me focus more!

[adlp]

stay up late and get 6 hours of sleep

[dragon890x]

@smartdude1212
I really like your advice. Thank you!

[justaguy]

sleep early wake up rly early and cram because if i don't give a fuck about the material i'm forgetting it after the test anyway

[8 Hour Whore]

Honestly.. 20-30 min tops.. I retain information easily in a classroom so studying isn't always necessary

[25thhour]

I set up a schedule and for my harder classes Calc and Chem I have upwards of 40 hours each class for study.

[Reshiram]

True story.

[Sweet_Feet]

Originally Posted by iCeCuBEz v2

i usually just cram the night before.... procrastinate until like 2 in the morning -_-

I do this an absurd amount but I have been getting better.


If your giving yourself 4 days at 35 hours (24->Chem) then this would be my ideal schedule:

-day 1: 8hrs chem (2 or 4 hour intervals)
-day 2: 3hrs calc + 6hrs chem (~3 hour intervals)
-day 3: 4hrs calc + 6hrs chem (~3 hour intervals)
-day 4: 4hrs calc + 4hrs chem (both at 2 hour intervals)

I like the idea of taking breaks while studying, grinding out 8 hours straight is most likely to be far less effective then two 4 hour sessions.

Sleep and nutrition are VERY important for the brain. Eat 3-5 times per day. Also, most people can function efficiently off 6 hours of sleep.

Good Luck!

[Poison-]

If I try to study for more than 4 hours at a time I start going insane.

[kmay]

i do about 2 hours in the morning, and then a half hour at lunch. before my brain starts going on to other things. and i always study at school.

[25thhour]

I have 2-4 hours then a 30min-1:30 break. 8 - midnight

[Ohaider]

http://www.studyblue.com/


Edit:

Originally Posted by Frank Munoz

I'm just gonna keep playing black ops 2
~

get dat 3rd prestige alreadyyyyy i'm catching up

[~Zeta~]

I usually read the chapter(s) 2 days before the test, read notes and skim the book 1 day before, and then just casually read your notes for the small stuff day of the test.

[Reach]

I organize succinct study notes for each class based on the main points to know. I usually hand write them by going through the lectures, focusing on the main stuff I noted during the lecture. As I'm going through it I make sure I fully understand all the material.

After that, I study it until I know it in my sleep. I actively study, meaning I test myself as I go through the material to ensure that I'm remembering it by asking myself questions and thinking about the types of questions I'll probably get asked.

[Xx{Midnight}xX]

I'll be honest.

I don't.