1. Know When Your Exams Are

Before doing anything else, find out when you have exams. This will show you what exams you need to prepare for first. You should also check if you have multiple exams on the same day, in which case you may need to reach out to your professors to ask about rescheduling.

2. Create a Study Schedule

Use your exam dates to create a study schedule. Bear in mind, there’s no need to dedicate the same amount of time to each exam — some exams may be much more difficult than others. However, it is important to begin studying for all your exams early to give yourself plenty of time to prepare. You may think the information will be fresh in your mind if you cram the night before, but you’ll actually retain much more if you spread studying out over several weeks.

3. Prepare for Finals According to the Type of Exam

As well as varying how much time you devote to preparing for each exam, you need to use different tactics. Some exams may require you to know facts, whereas others may involve analytical skills. Determine what kinds of tactics will help you best develop the knowledge and skills you need.

4. Use Active Study Tactics

No matter what type of exam you’re studying for, you should use active tactics. Rereading textbooks from start to finish is unlikely to help much. However, using flashcards, practice questions, and study guides can help you remember the material better for the exam.

5. Study with Others

It can be motivating to study with others. If you’re not already in a study group, now’s the time to join or form one. As well as quizzing each other, discuss the material and take turns explaining concepts — this is a great way to ensure you’ve understood and will be able to apply your knowledge to the exam.

6. Take Breaks

It’s a good idea to commit to studying for a certain amount of time without giving in to distractions. However, this doesn’t mean you should force yourself to sit at your desk for hours at a time. Break up long study sessions with regular breaks. It’s best to use your breaks productively, such as for a short walk to gain some fresh air.

7. Sleep Enough

Stick to a sleep schedule to ensure you have energy every day to focus on your studies. It’s especially important to sleep enough the night before your exam. Even though it may be tempting to stay up late to fit in a few more hours of studying, this will only hurt your performance the next day.

8. Find the Ideal Study Spot

Choose a spot that puts you in the mood for studying. The right place for you will depend on what kind of environment you find conducive to studying. You may like to be alone and in silence, or you may prefer to be around other people. In addition to your main study spot, it can be helpful to have other options to mix things up occasionally.

To survive your finals, you need to live somewhere you can study and sleep without interruptions. Leave your dorm room behind and search for off-campus housing. You’ll find apartments near Brock University at Regent. In addition to using the desk and chair in your fully-furnished suite, you can prepare for your finals in our study lounge. Contact us now for an in-person or virtual tour.