More Study Tips

Happy Friday to all my lovely readers, it looks like my next 14 days are going to be all about finishing last minute assignments for classes and study sessions. Yes, I am entering the much dreaded "Dead Week" and finals week. Yikes, the end of the semester has crept up on me sooner than expected. Last week, I did a post about how to reduce stress for students. So this week, I am sort of continuing on with some more tips. I know that many college students are actually heading into finals week next week and are in the same boat as I am in. Regardless of when finals are taking place, here are some more of my favorite study tips that have saved me time and time again.

1.) Go to review sessions/make a study group: If your professor is kind enough to hold a review session, go to it. If they are not doing a review session, then I suggest getting some classmates together and helping one another study. I know from experience that it is very easy to forget about something when you make your study guides, so it is really important to see what your classmates are including in their study guides and you can help answer each other's questions.

2.) Healthy Snacks: Don't forget to have healthy snacks while studying. It can be tempting to pound away at your review session and become too focused on working. Healthy snacks give you the energy to keep working hard and it can help your brain function better. I love fruit, nuts, and granola bars. Also, remember to drink plenty of water. I cannot stress the importance of drinking water and not coffee, soda or energy drinks while studying. Refer back to previous posts regarding the benefits of hydration.

3.) Mind Mapping: I found this technique super helpful for when I make my study guides. Mind mapping is when you put the topic or idea in a circle or bubble in the middle and then draw other bubbles that branch out from the center. In those branches or outer bubbles, you write down the terms or principles that are associated with the term in the center. This allows you to be able to visually see how the principles connect with the main idea and you can see everything you need to remember for the exam. I am definitely planning on using this technique for all of my study guides this semester.

4.) Office Hours: Do NOT be afraid to visit your professor during his or her office hours. They have office hours for a reason. They are there to help you and answer your questions. They may also be able to give you some insight on what to expect from the exam and my professors have been able to give me ideas for how to study more effectively. Do not be scared to approach them.

5.) Flashcards: You can use either paper flash cards or a site called Quizlet to help review big ideas or concepts/terms. You can as a friend to help you go through them or you can do them by yourself. Either way, you can instantly see what terms trip you up and what you need to focus on before the big day.

I hope this helps with test anxieties. Remember to take deep breaths and take care of your bodies. You can do this and all of us college students are going to survive these next few days!

XOXO
Chloe