Study Tips for College Exams

blsciblogs.baruch.cuny.edu

Studying can be a daunting task... especially when it's your last chance to give it all you've got!  Below are a few suggestions to help you make your studying count towards your final grade!  Also, be sure to check out my "Happy, Healthy Studying" blog posting to learn about healthy eating during exam week!

• When studying, make sure you break up your time into increments.  Mini study sessions of 20-50 minutes, with 5-10 minute breaks in between, can help you stay focused and remember the material you're trying to learn or review.
• Find your ideal study environment.  Whether that looks like a table at the library, your room, a coffee shop, or wherever, make sure you know a few places you can go where you can concentrate and be productive.
• Make sure to exercise - another excellent use of a study break, which can help you to de-stress and re-energize.
• Go to review sessions with the professor and/or TA.  These sessions, if offered, can give you a better idea of what is going to be covered on the exam and how to best prepare... plus, you can show the professor that you care about succeeding in the class!
• Look at the exams you've had in the class so far.  These can give you a better idea of how the professor tests and what he/she is looking for in a good answer.
• Use study groups.  If these don't distract you from actually studying, study groups can provide a great way to review material together, allowing you to talk through concepts to really see how much you can recall.  Study groups can also motivate you to study, rather than procrastinate!
• Talk to other students who have taken the class before so you know what to expect.  They may can give you an idea of how the professor tests, how much to prepare, etc.
• Be careful with distractions!  If you need to turn off your phone, do it!  Log off Facebook© if you need to.  Do whatever it takes to make sure you can focus on what you're trying to study!

Did you know?  "The average student spends over 100 minutes on Facebook© every day, logging in six different times?" (www.onlineschools.org)
Check out this graphic to learn more! - Online Learning & Multitasking: Why the Two Don't Mix.

• Change study spots!  Choose different locations for studying to provide some variety.  Going to a different place to study can also help you take a short break!
• Sleep well.  If possible, don't stay up late before an exam.  It's probably not the best night to go to a party or start a movie marathon in your dorm.  Make sure you get a good night sleep to help you recall what you've studied, and be alert and energized for your final.
• STUDY!  No matter what else you do, make sure you do find time to really study the material.  Procrastinating or trying to cram everything in at the last minute will only contribute to more stress and cause you to be less successful on your exams.

Happy studying and GOOD LUCK!!!