As a student, you’d have to face many obstacles before earning your degree. And one of those challenges is taking final exams. 

Final exams can be incredibly stressful. On top of reviewing past lessons, you probably have to complete requirements from other classes. However, if you prepare well, studying for final exams won’t have to be nerve-racking and scary. For instance, you can enroll in online courses or make use of study guides created by reputable educators like Kathleen Jasper. 

Read on to learn more about how you can ace your final exams. 

• Say What You Want To Remember Out Loud And Add Movement

You’re more likely to remember concepts well when you read them out loud instead of reading them silently. So, to retain information, especially the essential parts, say them out loud.   

Aside from reading things out loud, you should incorporate movement with studying. In fact, standing and moving around while studying or taking breaks could improve verbal memory, learning, and thinking. It could also help you focus more and break down tasks, such as solving math problems and writing an essay. 

Here’s how you can add movement to your study schedule:

• Go for a stroll or do a favorite exercise routine during your 5-, 10-, or 15-minute break.
• Create your own standing desk by turning the counter at home into your desk. If you’re at a café, you can use a plastic tote or a cardboard box as your desk. 
• Search for a keyword in your reading. Once you find that keyword, complete 5 push-ups or 10 jumping jacks.

• Attend Classes Regularly

Studying for your final exams begins on the very first day of high school or college. Thus, it’s a lot easier to prepare for your exams when you attend classes. Skipping just one class could make it harder to review for exams since you’d have missed out on important lessons. 

But if you happen to miss some because of valid reasons, like getting sick or dealing with a family emergency, you can ask your classmates for help. Form a study group, so you can ask your friends or fellow classmates questions and share notes together.    

• Remain Calm 

The stress, jitters, and anxiety you feel about your final exams won’t do anything to help you in studying. These emotions will only make it harder to think critically and remember facts. 

So, if you’re feeling stressed out, take a breather before studying. Do the things you love to do. You can de-stress by engaging in a quick workout like yoga or listening to music. 

Taking a break may seem counterproductive, but it isn’t. It will help you relax and concentrate more.

• Plan A Study Schedule 

Planning a study schedule is crucial as well. Having a schedule gives you a sense of direction and ensures that you devote enough time to each subject. As you organize your study schedule, include breaks for lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner, or rest. Doing an all-nighter will only be counterproductive.  

See to it that your schedule suits you. Don’t copy your roommate’s, girlfriend’s, or best friends’ schedule since everyone has their own learning style, study habits, and commitments. Your study schedule should be set during those hours when you feel most productive.

The following are several steps you can take to develop a schedule that works for you:

• Figure out your learning style and study habits

Since every student has their own learning style and study habits, you’ll have to figure out what yours are. For instance, are you the type to study twice a week? Or do you prefer to study every evening for half an hour? Do you like to review the material after class, or would you rather take a break first? 

You don’t have to study long hours every night or sleep less to spend more time reviewing. It’s all about knowing your learning style and developing effective, healthy study habits. 

• Decide how much time you need to study for each subject

Once your teachers release the exam schedules, you can use them as guides to decide how much time you need to study for each class. Some courses may be more difficult than the others, so you’ll have to take that into consideration. For instance, you can spend two hours on each intensive course and at least an hour on the less challenging ones. 

• Schedule your study sessions

Lastly, pick which day you’ll study a particular subject. For example, Mondays and Wednesdays are for science. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for math while Fridays are for English. 

Making study sessions, along with other commitments, part of your calendar will help guarantee that you’ve given enough time for studying. 

• Wake Up Early 

Make it a point to wake up early before and during finals week. Don’t use this time as an excuse to sleep an hour or two later. You can do that as soon as you’re done with the last exam of the week. 

Waking up early can help you be more productive and motivated to study. You won’t have to wait until the last minute to eat and shower before reviewing course material. After all, if you start your day in a rush, you’ll only feel stressed out and panicky.

Wrapping Up

With the tips above, you’ll gain confidence and be ready to take your tests. Doing well in exams isn’t about being smart but about adopting good study habits. As long as you stay calm and stick with your study schedule, you’ll pass your exams with flying colors.