In less than three weeks, it will be time for finals. Whether you’re experiencing them for the first, or seventh, time, it’s important to be well-prepared. It may seem obvious, but many students take studying for granted. Here are some study tips to get you ready for the weeks ahead.

1. Determine the weight and subject of each final 

Finals vary from class to class. Some are cumulative— meaning they cover all units from the semester— while others can be an essay, a test for a single unit, a portfolio, or a project. Determining what each of your finals covers is key to organizing information, and figuring out what topics and finals you need to prioritize depending on their weight. Additionally, it’s important to look over past grades and tests to figure out which subjects you need to study the most.

2. Don’t wait until the last minute

This is probably the worst possible thing you could do. Most students end up with around four or five finals; it’s important to study at least a little bit for each one. A good piece of advice is to create a schedule. Focus on one subject a day, overall units that are difficult for you, and individual steps in a project or portfolio. 

3. Study the finals chronologically

Period 2 and 4 are the first day of finals. Because of this, prioritize studying these two classes leading up to the days before finals week. Creating a schedule to study all subjects is important, but it doesn’t hurt to prioritize these over finals later in the week, like period 7.

4. Take advantage of study halls

Rather than slacking off during your free period, take the time to visit the MRC, ERC and SRC. These places are great resources for additional help from teachers and peers, allowing you to refresh your mind. The MRC is located in room 208, the ERC in room 209/the Publick room, and the SRC in room 257. Going to the library or another quiet space is also a great way to find somewhere to study— with or without friends, depending on your study habits.

5. PLT

Despite being such a great resource, many students, including myself, rarely go to PLT, even when they need help. However, PLT is a great time to get one-on-one help from a teacher and ask as many questions as you need. PLT is usually every Wednesday from 7:45 A.M. to 8:45 A.M. but, for the two weeks before finals, it will be hosted on both Wednesday and Thursday at the same time as usual. 

6. Cram notecards 

Not all teachers hand out note cards but, if they do, fill it up as much as you can. I recommend sectioning it off by unit: start by writing what you need most and then fill in any empty space with things you might have missed.

7. Test yourself

Testing yourself is a great way to figure out what you can, and can’t, do. If your teacher hands out a study guide, fill it out with what you know first and highlight the rest so you can review it afterwards. If you aren’t given a study guide, I recommend using Quizlet to make one and then using either the quiz or matching feature. However, I find that making physical flashcards works much better to remember material. 

8. Take care of yourself

Maintaining healthy habits throughout the weeks leading up to finals is very important to your success and mental health. This can range from eating healthy, exercising, taking breaks, going outside, playing a game, or doing something you enjoy. 

The schedule (12/16 and 12/19):