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What is the best method not to get burnt out while studying for finals?
#studying-tips #study #college #finals #finals-week
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9 answers
Updated
Syed’s Answer
Hi Olivia,
Start at least 2-3 weeks in advance. I would make a study sheet with the key points across all the readings, lectures and homework. This would help with my recall of all the concepts. Then for 2-3 days before the exam, I'd continue reviewing my study sheets. Avoid cramming! I personally found group study was a distraction for me, but some people find it helpful to bring all their materials together and ask each other questions to better understand concepts.
When you have multiple exams in a day, you have to study for both at the same time. Plan your day so you can stagger when you study for what subject.
Best of luck!
Start at least 2-3 weeks in advance. I would make a study sheet with the key points across all the readings, lectures and homework. This would help with my recall of all the concepts. Then for 2-3 days before the exam, I'd continue reviewing my study sheets. Avoid cramming! I personally found group study was a distraction for me, but some people find it helpful to bring all their materials together and ask each other questions to better understand concepts.
When you have multiple exams in a day, you have to study for both at the same time. Plan your day so you can stagger when you study for what subject.
Best of luck!
Updated
Angela D.’s Answer
Heather gave great suggestions! Pacing yourself in relation to your finals schedule is also important. Sleep has been shown to be a contributor for long term memory formation, retention, and recall. Study smarter, not harder (please see below). Some visual folks do well with homemade flashcards (word or question on the front, answer on the back) or condensing notes into blurbs that fit on a two-sided page so that they can "remember" what the two sides "look" like. Others are more auditory, so reading notes aloud or listening to previous lectures prompts recall later. Mnemonics (a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something) can also be helpful. I also liked Heather's recommendation to watch some shows that are stress relievers like comedy! Wishing you the best in your endeavors, Dr. B
P.S. Please check out my response to Gwen T.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-research-backed-studying-techniques
P.S. Please check out my response to Gwen T.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-research-backed-studying-techniques
Updated
Heather’s Answer
Take breaks were your mind has a break from focusing. I used to watch mind numbing comedy’s that took my mind off the topic for a period of time. Get plenty of sleep, and drink water. But many will tell you everyone does it differently.
Updated
Juliette’s Answer
A few pieces of advice I would give are:
- Create a study schedule/plan. Dedicate a certain amount of time a day to studying and determine ahead of time what subjects you are going to study each day. You may need to spend more time on certain subjects than others so you can build this into your study plan. Planning ahead ensures that you are giving enough attention to each subject and you don't end up cramming at the end. Using a visual calendar or creating to-do lists could be helpful too.
- Study in a way that works for you. That could be flashcards, rewriting your notes, reading your notes out loud, using memorization techniques or having a friend or family member study with you or quiz you.
- Make sure to take breaks! Step away from studying at a set time or when you're feeling tired or frustrated. Going for a walk or doing something physical can help take your mind off things and may help you see the problem from a different perspective when you go back to studying.
- Don't be so hard on yourself :) Prepare ahead of time, learn from past experiences, and have confidence in your abilities.
Good luck!
- Create a study schedule/plan. Dedicate a certain amount of time a day to studying and determine ahead of time what subjects you are going to study each day. You may need to spend more time on certain subjects than others so you can build this into your study plan. Planning ahead ensures that you are giving enough attention to each subject and you don't end up cramming at the end. Using a visual calendar or creating to-do lists could be helpful too.
- Study in a way that works for you. That could be flashcards, rewriting your notes, reading your notes out loud, using memorization techniques or having a friend or family member study with you or quiz you.
- Make sure to take breaks! Step away from studying at a set time or when you're feeling tired or frustrated. Going for a walk or doing something physical can help take your mind off things and may help you see the problem from a different perspective when you go back to studying.
- Don't be so hard on yourself :) Prepare ahead of time, learn from past experiences, and have confidence in your abilities.
Good luck!
Paul Goetzinger MPA College Advisor
Academic/College Advising Assistance
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Paul’s Answer
I once had a college Psychology professor who told me that the mind is much like the body, it does things in intervals. He explained that the brain can process information for about 20 minutes before it becomes fatiqued. So studying in intervals or increments is recommended. It is like rehearsing or practicing for a play or movie. What you see an actor doing on the screen was obtained from a script. One which he or her spent hours learning in small intervals. If you go too long your brain will get tired. It is like reading a book or novel. You can read it for hours and suddenly realize you only remembered the first two chapters. Everything after that was a blank. The interval method is one I would also recommend.
Updated
Kayla’s Answer
Great question, Olivia!
Don't stay up too late! Sleep is crucial to retaining the information you are studying. Getting a good nights rest will do you more good than studying for that extra hour. Sleep restores our energy, helps us think more clearly, and strengthens memory.
Write things out (on paper, not typing) and read them aloud. Both of these methods are proven to help you remember things.
Set a timer! The famous method is the Pomodoro technique, but you can do any amount of time that works for you. The Pomodoro Method is working for 25 minutes, than taking a 5 minute break. After 4 rounds of that sequence, take a longer 15-30 minute break.
Don't stay up too late! Sleep is crucial to retaining the information you are studying. Getting a good nights rest will do you more good than studying for that extra hour. Sleep restores our energy, helps us think more clearly, and strengthens memory.
Write things out (on paper, not typing) and read them aloud. Both of these methods are proven to help you remember things.
Set a timer! The famous method is the Pomodoro technique, but you can do any amount of time that works for you. The Pomodoro Method is working for 25 minutes, than taking a 5 minute break. After 4 rounds of that sequence, take a longer 15-30 minute break.
Updated
Devika’s Answer
Hi Olivia,
You should take a break, do some exercise or stretching and don't forget to get enough sleep. These three things get overlooked very easily when we're anxious preparing for exams but they're very important to help your mind and body alert and stay focused.
When people keep studying or working for a long period of time without break, their minds plateau and can't absorb new information easily.
You should take a break, do some exercise or stretching and don't forget to get enough sleep. These three things get overlooked very easily when we're anxious preparing for exams but they're very important to help your mind and body alert and stay focused.
When people keep studying or working for a long period of time without break, their minds plateau and can't absorb new information easily.
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Olivia:
You've received some great advice from Profs. Here are a few of my tips. Hope you find them useful. Best of luck to you on your finals! 👍
Carve out your study time (ie, set a specific time and place if possible)
Don't attempt to tackle all your study in one chunk. Carve out segments of time
Focus on key areas first, second, third, etc. etc.
Take breaks
Try to get peaceful rest
You've received some great advice from Profs. Here are a few of my tips. Hope you find them useful. Best of luck to you on your finals! 👍
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Olivia!
What I found to be helpful with studying (and something I still use to this day at work) is implementing the Pomodoro Technique.
Pomodoro Technique
1) Choose a task to be accomplished.
2) Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
3) Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
4) Take a short break (5 minutes)
5) Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break
This method helps your brain stay focused, while also giving you short breaks so your brain won't fatigue.
Check out the link below for more details:
https://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730
Goodluck with your finals!
What I found to be helpful with studying (and something I still use to this day at work) is implementing the Pomodoro Technique.
Pomodoro Technique
1) Choose a task to be accomplished.
2) Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
3) Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
4) Take a short break (5 minutes)
5) Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break
This method helps your brain stay focused, while also giving you short breaks so your brain won't fatigue.
Check out the link below for more details:
https://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730
Goodluck with your finals!