A Note on Finals (exams)
As a more serious sequel to my previous post, I have decided to put up some nice tips on how to, to some degree, ace this finals. However, keep in mind that there is no hard and cut rules to this, these are just mere suggestion from my “random brain thoughts” and some experience.
To get started:
1. Know yourself: This is the least emphasized aspect of succeeding in anything, including life. Everyone has different ways their brain works. Briefly, they include: the motionary: those who learn best while being involved; the auditory: those who learn best while listening; the visuals: those who learn best by watching and sometimes, creating abstract models. No one again would be a whole one of this, just know the one that is most dominant in you, then adapt it to your study and learning methodology.
2. No Fire-fighting approach would work: Probably I should have stated this first but, it’s important to note that irrespective of the amount of work you do now, the result that will get you the grade is a factor of your performance all along - the tests, maybe attendance to classes, side projects and the likes. If you have been lagging in other classwork, I doubt if the finals will be a catch-up point. Don’t lose much hope though, there are other semesters.
3. Cues from the Past: Take a look at precious assignments, tests and other relevant assessment, these are usually cues to knowing what to expect on the exam and a source of good practice too!
4. Make an Outline: An outline of important topics (possibly from your instructor’s study guide), cross reference with a *good* textbook and your notes (if you have one) and if you know how to use the “tree-structuring” - it’s a very useful way to build your understanding and minimize cramming.
5. Cram, Cram, NO,No: I know this might sounds odd (to some), but, cramming might not be the only life-saving solution to a passing grade. If you are used to cramming every information and walking into the exam hall to pour it all down, you might be in for a struggle if you happen to forget one of your linked-crammed details. Instead, try to really understand the concept been explained, relate it to situations that are familiar to you. Understandably, some concept (like in sciences for example) cannot be related to real-life situation, in this case - maybe cram?
6. The Notes: As you go with your outline, following your notes and text-book, make notes to yourself. Making this notes doesn’t necessarily mean you would be reading the note afterwards, it’s just a rule of thumb that you understand better things you write down in your own words. Relevantly, write out the concept in your own words and see how much you understand it.
7. Almost D-day: As a rule [for me], when it few days or next day to the finals, I do some fun activity to put my brain out of the regular pattern of studying. This relaxes the brain and gives you a fresh insight to your studying when you resume this. I usually play a video game (RPGs?), read some other fun book or comics or when the weather is right, Skateboard! :o)
8. On Food: Most times before my early morning lecture, I usually don’t have breakfast but as another rule of mine, before an exam, I take my time to have some light breakfast before going into the exam hall - this keeps my mind on the task at hand and away from the task in the stomach.
9. On Music: During studying or (if allowed and if you can handle it) during the exam, listen to some soft soothing music like smooth (non-vocal) jazz, classical and the likes.
10. On Time: No need mentioning but can’t be skipped off this list. Arrive before time and get settled to face the task at hand.
11. On Finals: Now you’re in the exam hall, properly prepared, with all your needed materials, looking at the exam sheet, hopefully confident you can handle the situation. Don’t, I’d repeat, don’t jump right into tackling the exam. Review all the questions and start with the simplest - this is an absolute time/life saver. Forget looking at others or worrying about that fellow that is done in just few minutes (seconds?), remember, this is not a race.
12. On Fun and side-talks: After the exam, I usually avoid side talks as much as possible and most importantly, take my mind off the exam (at least temporarily). It’s not much fun if while involved in side talks you find out how wrong you where, we all know how depressing that feels.
Wishing everyone the best in their respective finals.
