It is nearing December, and you all know what that means … Finals Week!! Yay!

Ok, yeah, I’m not all that excited either. Pretty sure you’d have to be crazy to be.

Midterms and Finals week is stressful. There is no question about it. But something that can alleviate some of that stress going into midterms/finals week is good study tips. And as a veteran of finals week, I thought I’d give you all some study tips I’ve learned/heard about over the years to help everyone out! There are definitely some pros and cons to every study tip though, so try it out and then decide if it is a good thing or a bad thing for you.

To start things off, a quote from Isha Mankar, our Student President

Video yourself on timelapse

This tip also comes from my friend Isha who gave it to me sophomore year

You can’t really use your phone if you’re recording on it, plus if you know you’re on camera, it kind of feels like there’s someone watching you, so you’re less likely to get distracted from studying. Plus it’s soo much fun to watch the video when you’re finished!

Watch Out! This only works for me a couple times because the more I do it, I get used to the camera and it doesn’t really work anymore, so you may find it best to save this one for those really important study sessions.

Listen to music

I like to study with instrumental music in my earbuds because it forces me to pay attention to studying. For me, music helps me stay in the “study zone” and not get distracted by anything else.

Different music works for different people; I find it best to avoid songs with words because I find them distracting but do whatever works for you! Some types to try out include lo-fi, classical, movie soundtracks, pop music, country, and of course, Disney!

Watch Out! Music can be a distraction so use discretion.

Facetime/meet up with a friend

This is on the same line of videoing yourself. Being with a friend holds both of you accountable and you can prevent each other from getting distracted. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the same class, but if you are, you can also practice questions with each other. I found coming up with possible questions and quizzing each other really helpful.

Watch Out! Choose your friend wisely! Make sure your study session doesn’t turn into a social event.

Study in a library/coffee shop

Libraries and coffee shops are the classic study place and so create the ultimate study atmosphere. Plus for libraries, it’s a one stop research paper when you need to write one! If you need to feel like you’re “doing it” this may be for you.

Watch Out! The Free Library of Philadelphia generally is only open until 8 at the latest is closed on the weekends; coffee shops close too, so this may not be optimal for a midnight study session (get some sleep instead!) Also, don’t get distracted by all the good books and food!

Use a clock with hands

Using an analog clock (clock with hands) can help some people visualize blocks of time. Plus it feels so classic to pull out a fun pocketwatch or an old wrtistwatch or clock.

Watch Out! Just make sure you’re comfortable reading a clock that isn’t digital.

Use the pomodoro method

The pomodoro method is a system that builds in study time and breaks to make sure you’re making the most of your time. The idea is to spend 25 minutes focusing hard on your work, then a 5-minute break, then, after 2 hours (4 pomodoro sessions), take a 30-minute break.

Watch Out! Don’t lose track of time on those breaks/”extend” the break.

Gamify studying

Use websites like Quizlet, Gimkit, and Kahoot to make your studying time a bit more fun. Plus some people find just making the flashcards helpful to remembering the terms later.

Watch Out! Don’t get too carried away with the game aspect it if that can be too much of a distraction for you. Also, an emphasis on speed may be really stressful for some people, so if that’s you, try a different tip!

Create a designated study place and have everything set up

Like studying at a library or coffee shop, a space even in your own home, with maybe a desk a comfy chair, a lamp, etc. can be really helpful. If you like to compartmentalize, or like a good atmosphere, picking one spot where you always study can help you get yourself ready to study. Grab some snacks and water, maybe pop in earbuds with your favorite playlist, etc. before you start so you don’t have to get up in the middle of your study session and disrupt your flow.

Watch Out! This is generally a good tip, but if you are on a crazy schedule or you cannot find one place to study for one reason or another, it’s okay! Maybe just keep some things about each time you study the same, like a certain drink/snack you like, or using the same playlists.

Handwrite summaries of your notes

Handwriting your notes has been said for years to be beneficial over typing your notes, but I get that sometimes in class this is really hard to do depending on how fast the teacher is talking. Writing summaries of your notes when you get home or when you’re studying for your big tests is a great solution. Summarizing is also great for studying because you have to understand the material to summarize it effectively. Plus your summary is a great last minute glance-over the morning before your test.

Watch Out! Make sure you’re not just copying your notes – do your best to summarize, maybe only write down your key terms and rewrite things in your own words.

Use a planner/checklist

If you’re anything like me, it can be really easy to forget all of the assignments/tests you have. Use your planner that you got in the beginning of the school year or a notepad or sticky note. You can also keep a digital list (I love the sticky notes app that comes with Office). It is also so satisfying to cross out tasks as you complete them!

Watch Out! It is also pretty easy to forget to write stuff down or not feel like writing it down. Do it! Trust me it works, and it’s a great habit to form.

Quiz yourself

By now you’ve had your teacher for a little over three months. You should know his/her general test question style. Especially if you have a teacher who tends to phrase test questions weirdly, it can be great to make practice questions for yourself in that style and quiz yourself. I found it helpful when I was making flashcards to ask myself each key point the way I thought I might see it on the test. It is also great to pretend you are the teacher and look through your textbook/notes for information you would want your students to know. Chances are your teacher is going to want you to know that information too!

Watch Out! Make sure you understand the question you just asked yourself. If you give the wrong answer, there isn’t really an answer key.

Take care of yourself!

Okay, this one isn’t exactly a study tip, but is just as important nonetheless. Get a good night’s sleep (8+ hours) and a good breakfast (Omega-3s are great for your brain health, so nuts and fish are great choices. I might be oversharing here, but my favorite finals tradition is canned salmon, I know weird, but hey we all have some weird traditions). Also, keep an eye on your mental health! Every counselor here at Naz will tell you the same thing – it is so important! If you feel yourself getting really stressed maybe step away from studying, go for a walk, talk to a friend, talk to your counselor (they’d love to chat!). The stress atmosphere is very high at Naz, so, as we heard in the Minding Your Mind presentation, don’t be afraid to reach out and let someone know how you’re feeling.