Surviving Finals Week

Dealing with stress

Selective cramming

Scheduling for exams

Rehearsing the information

Sample Exam Questions Anywhere University

Sociology: Estimate the sociological problems that might accompany the end of the world. Construct an experiment to test your theory.

Medicine: You have been provided with a razor blade, a piece of gauze and a bottle of Scotch. Remove your appendix. Do not suture your work until it has been inspected. You have 15 minutes

Dealing With Tension

Organize yourself Take time to relax Adopt a positive approach Anxiety is contagious Plan rewards

Make A Game Plan

When is the exam? How much material does the exam cover? What is my grade now? What is my goal? What types of errors did I make on past

exams? What strategies were successful? What new strategies will I need to overcome

past difficulties?

Schedule Your Study Periods

Begin at least a week before finals week Allow large blocks of time for studying Allow short periods for review Vary what you study and how you study Schedule breaks and exercise Stay with your routine

Cram Selectively

Gather all materials -Divide and conquer Make courageous choices Choose the most important elements

– Most recent material – lecture notes – textbook – themes that cut across all materials – areas where you’re weakest

Know what it is you don’t know – spend more of your time here.

Use Review Cards & Other Study Aids

Flash cards- portable, easy to test and mix ideas

Mind maps – shows relationships Summary Sheets – more detail – include

most important and most difficult concepts Essay Questions Old Exams – greater challenge Commercial Study Guides – saves time

Use the 25/75 Rule

Spend 25% of your time organizing information

Spend 75% of your time testing, recalling, reciting, writing, etc.

(Remember, it’s better to find out what you don’t know now than in the exam room.)

The Night Before

Calmly review what you’ve learned Focus on integrating and synthesizing Continue self-testing by using small pieces of

time Avoid staying up all night Avoid cramming new material Don’t go to the movies

Take Care of Yourself

Moderate stimulants Use campus resources, as needed Maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns

Check out these resources

Academic Success Center– KRCH 4th Floor– 765-525-9328– purdue.edu/asc

Psychological Services– 765-494-6995