How to flourish in finals

When finals season arrives at CVHS, the stress is almost palpable. Students look tense and tired, baggy-eyed and teary-eyed. But there is no need to worry this end of the semester. Armed with the study tips in this article, you will be able to ace your finals efficiently and stress free. 

First and most importantly, you want to give yourself time to study well before your test. Make a study schedule two to three weeks out from your finals to ensure you have time to study all the information you need to study. Bottom line is, don’t cram at the last minute. A 2007 study on the University of South Florida and UC San Diego campuses enforces this idea. “Increasing Retention Without Increasing Study Time” by Doug Rohrer and Hal Pashler states, “When tested later, performance is usually much better if the study time is spaced rather than massed.”

As far as how you should study, always focus on recalling information rather than just looking at it. Three easy and effective ways to recall information are: practice testing, flashcards, and covering and recalling previously taken notes. Remember to always be doing something while studying other than just reading. Recall information by taking notes, practicing out loud with a friend or even alone. Just keep your mind on task and recalling. 

This fast-paced and dense form of studying, as well as almost any form of studying, is tiring when practiced for long amounts of time. A strategy to stay focused and motivated throughout a long study session is to use the Pomodoro technique. The Pomodoro technique is a technique in which you study without distractions for 25 minutes and then rest for 5 minutes. This keeps your mind fresh, and your spirits high as there is always a break around the corner to work towards. It also helps to organize what you will study and when. You can focus clearly  on one subject for one 30-minute interval of time, and another subject for another interval. 

The last tip is to get rid of distractions while you study. It helps to go to a library, as the environment is quiet and encourages you to do your work while others around you do theirs. The most important and easiest (or hardest) tip is to put your phone on silent mode and stow it away. Hiding your phone in your backpack or another room might seem unnecessary, but it does wonders to help you focus on the task at hand. 

Follow these tips and you will undoubtedly fare better in the finals to come. Stay calm, stay focused, and good luck Trojans. You’re going to do great!