Studying for Exams
By Emily, age 19, Newfoundland
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
For those of us in university, we all know what this time of the year means. It means that we hunker down, isolate ourselves, and then drive ourselves insane with the amount of work to be done.
But the important thing to remember is just to relax. Worrying isn't going to get you anywhere except in a straightjacket. Instead, here are some tips on where to start, how to continue, and how to stay sane while you study for your mid-terms or final exams.
1) Don't panic! Go over everything quickly, then once you understand the major concepts, go over the stuff you don't know first. This way, you'll be able to start with at least a basic idea of what it's all about.
2) For goodness sake, go to the library! If you live in a residence like I do, you know that the library is a godsend. It's a quiet place where all the people there have one goal: to study. For those of you who don't live in a residence, you should still go to the library. Not only do you not have the distractions from home (TV, computer, etc.), but it also puts you into a studying mood.
3) Make a schedule and stick to it! Make a studying schedule. Set aside so many hours a day for studying and so many hours a day for relaxation. And then stick to it!
4) Have all of your studying materials ready the night before, so you don't procrastinate.
5) Set up a study group! This is really good for things that you don't understand. Chances are, if you don't understand a concept, someone else in your class does, and they may be able to explain it to you.
6) See your professor. If you need help understanding some topics, make an appointment with your professor and talk to her or him. Make a list of questions beforehand and have them ready. Chances are (s)he's going to be really busy and will appreciate your organization.
7) If there are tutorials available, go to them! Some require money, others don't. Pick and choose which ones you go to, because if you go to a bunch that you have to pay for, it may wind up being very expensive. Tutorials are especially helpful for math and science courses.
These are just some of the many things that you can do to prepare for a final exam. Of course, it helps immensely if you've gone to class all year and paid attention! :)
Good luck with your exams, everyone! And remember, if you don't do well or fail a class, don't panic. You can take the class over again during the spring or summer semesters to improve your grades.
