How to Study for Finals (2024)

Final exams aren’t just any tests. They draw upon your knowledge from the entire semester, and you have to take a whole bunch of them at once. Depending on how your finals are weighted, your final exam grade could even mean the difference between an A and a C on your transcript!

Follow our ultimate studying guide, and earn a top grade on your final exams.

How to Study for Finals (1)

1. Make a finals game plan.

If you plan out your study sessions (for ALL your exams), you’ll get a better handle on how much work you’re facing. Use the calendar on your phone to set alerts and reminders for yourself so you stick to your plan.

2. Start early.

Start studying for finals a few weeks before the first exam, and figure out how much time to set aside each day for each subject. Be realistic about how long it will take to, say, memorize the dates for all the Civil War battles. You need to fit in brain breaks, too!

3. Study in this order: a) definitely b) probably c) might be on the final

Don’t just start from the beginning of your notes and try to cram everything in: Think about what you know for sure will be on each test and review that material first. Then move on to studying what will probably be on the test, then what might be covered. That way, if you run out of time, you know you at least have the basics nailed.Ask your teachers if they’ll share copies of previous finals so you can see what might be covered or how questions will be phrased.

4. Give yourself more time to study for your toughest classes.

If chemistry gave you trouble all semester, devote more time to that subject—even if it’s your last final. Look over your previous tests for the year, if you scored poorly on one unit in Spanish, chances are you didn’t absorb it all the first time. Take extra time now to review what you missed. By starting with the toughest stuff first, you have time to ask your teacher questions or get help from our tutors.

Read More: How to Calculate Your GPA

5. Form a study group.

There’s nothing like peer pressure to keep you motivated to study. Make a plan with friends to review the class material, compare notes, or work through tricky concepts. You'll benefit from the good study habits and notes of the other members in your study group. if you’re trying to solve a toughmath problem, two heads are better than one.

6. Talk it out.

Not only is it more fun to study with your friends than studying by yourself, you’ll also learn more. By talking through the facts and formulas with a study partner, you’re thinking about the material more deeply, which means you’ll remember it better later.

7. Get creative withstudy aids.

Now that you know what key concepts from each subject you need to prioritize, find the best way to review and internalize what you predict will be on the final exam.Make flash cards to help you memorize dates and equations. Or come up with a mnemonic device—a system of memorizing facts using a phrase or acronym you’ll definitely remember. For example, using the name Roy G. Biv helps to remember the order of colors in a rainbow.

8. Study your notes.

Outline your class notes for daily review. Notes and flashcards are also great for last-minute review the morning of your exam.

9. Quiz yourself.

If you’re studying at home, have your mom or dad quiz you on the information you’ve already studied. Students tend to remember the information they've been quizzed on better than the information they simply review.

10. Make sleep a priority.

While it may be tempting to pull an all-nighter and cram everything in at the last minute, it’s a bad idea. You just add stress, and you won’t retain the information for very long by studying that way. You may even forget some of it by the time the test begins.

11. Take five.

Take breaks to improve your concentration when you return to studying: Veg out with an episode of your favorite TV show or play a couple rounds of Wii tennis.

12. Brain food is real.

Eat healthy and drink plenty of water to keep your brain firing on all cylinders.

Still stuck on how to study for finals?

We can help!Try a session with one of our online tutors. We can walk you through tricky concepts or study strategies—whatever you need, 24/7.

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How to Study for Finals (2024)

FAQs

How to Study for Finals? ›

1. Say NO to cramming: Study in intervals! Studying in 20-50 minute increments and giving yourself 5-10 minutes in between is more beneficial than cramming. Distributing learning over time typically benefits long-term retention more than a short period.

What is a good way to study for finals? ›

1. Say NO to cramming: Study in intervals! Studying in 20-50 minute increments and giving yourself 5-10 minutes in between is more beneficial than cramming. Distributing learning over time typically benefits long-term retention more than a short period.

How many hours should you study for finals? ›

It really depends on your needs and how tricky the subject is. But as a friendly guideline, consider spending 2-3 hours studying on your own for every hour you spend in class. So, if you have a subject that meets for 3 hours a week, you might want to put in 6-9 hours of study outside of class.

How to study for finals ADHD? ›

Don't cram for tests. Studying material in several shorter sessions — 45 minutes a day over four days — will give you deeper familiarity with the material. What's more, sleeping on it will help you retain more of it. During sleep, the brain rehashes information you've learned.

How can I study for finals without study guide? ›

Try some of these active strategies to help you study for final exams more effectively:
  1. Quiz yourself with flashcards. ...
  2. Make a study guide. ...
  3. Discuss the material with your study group. ...
  4. Try an app like Quizlet. ...
  5. Compile and summarize your notes.

How can I focus 100% on studying? ›

So, to help you make the most out of your study time, here are six tips to improve concentration:
  1. Identify the best environment to help you concentrate. ...
  2. Minimize distractions. ...
  3. Write a to-do list. ...
  4. Schedule study time. ...
  5. Make healthy snack choices. ...
  6. Take breaks.

How to study 2 weeks before finals? ›

Prepare for your exams with these study tips, which can help you conquer your finals.
  1. Create your own study guide.
  2. Ask questions.
  3. Attend the review session.
  4. Start early.
  5. Organize a group study session.
  6. Study the stuff not on the study guide.
  7. Take breaks.
  8. Stay well-rested.

Is 2 days enough to study for finals? ›

In general, plan to start about 7-10 days in advance to make sure you maximize your study time. Remember, it is better to space your studying out over a period of days rather than clustering your studying just before the exam. Ten hours of studying over 5 days is better than 10 hours of studying over 2 days!

What is the best study method? ›

One of the most impactful learning strategies is “distributed practice”—spacing out your studying over several short periods of time over several days and weeks (Newport, 2007). The most effective practice is to work a short time on each class every day.

Is 3 days enough for finals? ›

As you can see, 3 days is enough time to prepare for the exam, even if it's your first exam week. The main thing is to organize your work, not be lazy, not worry.

Do I have ADHD or am I just lazy? ›

Laziness is a lack of effort or concern about a task, whereas people with ADHD put in effort and care. They may even put significant effort into a task and become upset or frustrated when they feel it's incomplete, done incorrectly, or simply can't focus enough to feel like they're moving forward.

Does ADHD make it harder to study? ›

If you have ADHD, you may find it difficult to start studying for an exam or hard to start a new assignment, or to even stay on track once you've started. Remember that procrastinating isn't the same thing as laziness or lack of intelligence. It's simply a challenge that you're doing your best to overcome.

How to study without getting bored? ›

How Can One Study for Long Duration Without Getting Bored?
  1. Make Achievable Study Goals.
  2. Prioritize your tasks.
  3. Create the most conducive study environment possible.
  4. Breaks Should Be Included.
  5. Get your study sessions more enjoyable.
  6. When you're tired, take a nap.
  7. A study that is active rather than passive.

How to get 100 on every test? ›

Follow these study tips to make your best grade!
  1. Get informed. Don't walk into your test unprepared for what you will face. ...
  2. Think like your teacher. ...
  3. Make your own study aids. ...
  4. Practice for the inevitable. ...
  5. Study every day. ...
  6. Cut out the distractions. ...
  7. Divide big concepts from smaller details. ...
  8. Don't neglect the “easy” stuff.

How to cram for finals? ›

  1. Gather All Your Materials before you cram for an exam. Make sure you have all your notes and books with you. ...
  2. Turn off social media. ...
  3. Turn on a timer. ...
  4. Focus only on the Big Ideas and Key Details. ...
  5. Involve all your senses to cram for an exam. ...
  6. Make your own study guide. ...
  7. Set goals and rewards as you cram for an exam.

How am I supposed to study for finals? ›

Make a study schedule. Don't skip this step! You already have a list of all the work you need to do; now break those projects/papers/exams into manageable chunks. ("Study for chemistry exam" could be broken into "make terms list, review chapters 9-10, create flash cards, and review lab notes," for example.)

How to study for finals in 3 days? ›

3-4-5 System
  1. Day 1: Do a basic review using your lecture notes or a study guide to refresh your memory. ...
  2. Day 2: Study only what happens according to the textbook. ...
  3. Day 3: Fill in the gaps you've found in your first two days of study, taking note of important details in your Day 1 and Day 2 study materials.
Dec 7, 2021

How can I study for finals without burning out? ›

How to Avoid Burnout During Finals Week
  1. Make a study plan and stick to it. Studying can be boring and burnout-inducing, especially when you don't have a clear plan in mind when you begin. ...
  2. Make sure to take care of yourself. ...
  3. Take productive breaks. ...
  4. Treat yourself. ...
  5. Remember how far you've come.
Apr 29, 2024

How can I study for finals with no motivation? ›

Here are 5 tips to get that motivation to study, ace your finals, and end the semester on a high note.
  1. 1) Take a moment. First things first, re-center yourself and your priorities. ...
  2. 2) Schedule and organize. ...
  3. 3) Exercise. ...
  4. 4) Eat right. ...
  5. 5) Reward yourself.

How to study for 3 finals at once? ›

The following study tips are guaranteed to calm that anxiety storm and leave you smooth sailing to your next exam week.
  1. Prioritize your exams. Which exam will be the hardest, and which will be easier for you? ...
  2. Schedule your time. ...
  3. Take naps during study breaks. ...
  4. Say no to cramming and all-nighters!

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