Surviving Finals

How to prepare for finals?Get The Basics First:

How many finals do I have?The more finals you have the sooner you should

start studying.A few classes don’t even have a final exam.

When are my finals?Know the dates of your finals so you know

which one to study for first.

How to prepare for finals?Get The Basics First:

How much of my grade does the final count for?Not all finals count for the same amount. A final in

one class might be 10% of your grade, while in another class it might be 40%.

In some courses if you fail the final exam you fail the class automatically!

Talk to your professor and check the syllabus so you know what’s coming!

Know what you’re up against…What kind of final is it?Essay?Multiple choice?Comprehensive or not?

A Comprehensive Exam covers all the material that was taught in the course, not just the material you learned since the last test.

Will it be like previous tests or completely different?Sometimes the final exam will be entirely different

than the other tests in the course.

PrioritizingWhich final will I have the most trouble with?

You might need to spend more time preparing for a Math final than an English final. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

Which final do I think will be the easiest?Just because you think an exam will be easy

doesn’t mean you shouldn’t study for it at all.

PrioritizingWhich final do I have to take first?

The sooner the final the sooner you should study.

Know where you stand in the class prior to finals! If you need to get a certain grade on the final in order

to pass the class then that’s a good thing to know up front.

Once you get to finals week, it is too late to drop a course so you need to do as well as you can on the final to get the best grade you can.

Study TimeWhen should I start studying?

You start preparing for a final exam on the first day of class – take good notes and pay attention.

What do I need to study?Talk to your professor about what will be on the final.

Is there a study guide or study group?Make use of your resources.

What works best for me?Study in the way that works best for you.

Prep TipsStart Early! Prepare at least 2 weeks in advance.

Get organized, review course material daily leading up to your final exam.

Make flashcards, this is a really helpful study technique.

GET HELP! If you are having trouble on a concept get help before it is too late! Visit a study group or go to tutoring.

Study EnvironmentThis is an important aspect of studying many

students do not take into account.

Choose an environment that will allow you to STUDY. Library, Office, etc.

Cut out distractions in order to focus.

Study during the time of day you feel you are the most alert.

What Not DoPlan ahead… don’t spend all night studying and not

get any sleep the day before your exam.

Don’t show up late!If you show up late the professor does not have to give

you extra time to make up for it.Do not panic during the test, be confident in the

preparation you have put in.

Take your time on your test, don’t rush. Take time to work through your test to ensure the best results.

Good Luck!