Do you have any posts/tips for studying effectively for semester finals?
My best tip is to target your study for the exam youâre taking.Â
So what does that mean?Â
1. Practice Past Exams.Â
Thereâs no point in memorising notecards or making study guides if you canât tailor the content youâve learnt to answer the question at hand. The short answer to the masses of students who say something to the effect of, âI donât understand why I only got X grade when I studied for 14701863 hoursâ is that âyou failed to answer the questionâ. So get familiar with the type of questions in the exam, make sure youâre learning content that relates to said questions, and then understand how to command what youâve learnt into an answer that addresses the question.Â
An easy way to do this is to grab a marking guide/ your syllabus and physically tick the relevant points/words/concepts youâve included in your practice answer. Youâll be surprised - sometimes you think youâve answered the question, when in reality, you havenât.Â
2. Get a basic âbirds eye viewâ of the course before diving into the detail.Â
Donât get caught up on little details. Understand the broad concepts that are examinable. Once youâve got a working understanding of all of that, go back and fill it in with the detail (e.g. examples, case studies, specific applications of a formula). Why? The art of diminishing returns. Moreover, the first 50% of the marks allocated to a question are the easiest to get.Â
3. Do what you need to do, for you.Â
Look, just because you didnât study from day 1 - day 100 doesnât mean youâre going to fail. Itâs not all or nothing; thereâs a huge gap between an A+ and an F. Arguably those with that âfatalistic, catastrophizing mindsetâ are on a one way track to demotivation town.Â
So if pulling an all nighter is how you study, then pull that godamn allnighter. If youâre the type to wake up early to study, then set your godamn alarm for 5am. If you need to rest and recouperate and spend a good 12 hours on tumblr procrastinating, then do it.Â
Youâre not going to fail just because you donât have the fancy notes or stationery your friend does. Youâre not going to fail just because your friend studied for 4 hours last night while you marathoned gilmore girls.Â
Stand proud of your own study techniques that have ensured your success to this point.Â
+ on a side note, If youâve fallen behind, hereâs a few tips here.Â
Hereâs a few tips from around the community:Â
A Complete Exam Study Guide by @strive-for-da-best
Study Tips For Finals by @attackonstudyingÂ
How to study for an exam by @chemistrynerd2020 (working link by @elkstudies)Â
5 Ways to Prep for Finals by @thedailyharoldblog
How to make a study schedule by @mindofamedstudentÂ
The Really Big Studying Masterpost by @academla
Study Methods by @etudiance
All the best for your finals anon!Â

















