Get Ready For Your Finals!

It's that time of year again!
Here are some tips to prepare for next week.

1. Don’t panic (make too much of the final).
The first thing you should do is to check what the final is worth in each course. Remember, it is only one component of your final grade. If it is worth 20% or less, you probably won't be able to bring your final grade up or down by more than one grade level (e.g., B to B+), unless you perform extremely better or worse than you have on other exams and assignments during the semester.
2. Take breaks from studying.
This is NOT the time to stop exercising or doing other things that you find enjoyable. Pace yourself! You will study more effectively if you spread things out and take breaks. But watch the proportions here. Beware of doing 15 minutes of studying followed by a two-hour break to play a video game!
3. Use an effective study method.
The key to effective retention is repetition, and not overloading your brain (it can only absorb so much in an hour). Click here to get information about an effective technique for exam study. Whatever you do, don’t do it all in one long cramming session. Which brings us to:
4. Get enough sleep.
Don’t pull an "all nighter." You will do better if you are rested, and cramming often leads to a superficial and confused knowledge of the material you have studied.
There is a reason why sleep deprivation is used as torture. Failure to follow #4 and 5 can lead to writing nonsense on exams.

For more tips, check out http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/library/mental/finals.htm.

Happy Studying!