Don’t let finals squash you
By Ana Cruzan
Pulse Staff Reporter

OK. Don’t be scared. Do n’t run and hide or stop reading this article just because the mere thought of the topic frightens you. It’s that time again. That’s right. Finals.

Finals are a fact of life. If you go to school, you’re bound to have them. And they’re just around that corner...

Seriously, you should be very concerned about finals right now. They are the final (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) as well as
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a large determining factor in your grade. It is very important to make studying for finals a priority.

Think of it this way. You wouldn’t go out on a date without first getting ready, so why would you take a final without studying? How, where, when, with who and even why to study are entirely up to you. Here are some study tips:

Be comfortable. Wear your favorite or most comfortable clothing. Let yourself relax, but not too much. If you decide to study on your bed you might just end up falling asleep. Be reasonable. You don’t have to seat yourself at the hardest, most uncomfortable desk you can find.

“I like to be comfortable,” said freshman Criminology major Azenet Calderon. “I’ll usually settle into a comfortable chair but I always sit at a table.”

Don’t let yourself become distracted. Choose a place to study that you know will allow you minimal distractions. Turn off your ringer; ask family and friends not to disturb you for a certain amount of time. Don’t let your attention be averted by thoughts of what else you may have to do or what you may have forgotten to do. Be sure you have all the things you are going to need when you first sit down to study. You can waste a lot of time getting up every few minutes to take care of something that could or should have already been done.

Study groups can be a good idea if you work well with others. In a study group you have the opportunity to compare your notes, have someone quiz you on potential test material and have the moral support you may need to fancy the thought of spending even one more second studying. Study groups are fun, but don’t make the often fatal (literally!) mistake of using the group as an excuse to get together with friends, or to spend time with the hottie you have been eyeing all semester.

Also, since we are talking about finals here, you might want to listen just a little closer, take notes that are a bit more detailed and pay attention to what your instructor says, if you haven’t already. Your instructor will tell you what to expect on the test. Now that doesn’t mean he or she will actually walk you through each and every question and tell you what answer is expected, but they will emphasize material that is important and they think you should remember. (HINT, HINT... for next semester, you may want to keep this in mind.) Take good notes and highlight, underline, circle, star or do whatever you can to help you remember the areas your instructor emphasizes.

To cram or not to cram... or both? According to Gerardo Mechler, Coordinator of Tutoring who works in the Student Learning Assistance Center located in Room 101 in the Palomino Center, cramming is okay as long as you don’t exhaust yourself in the process.

“If you stay up all night cramming, it will only have a negative effect on your performance the next day.”

When you have finally talked yourself into the inevitable, don’t try to sit for three hours having your eyes stuck to the same book without allowing yourself a break. Try breaking down your study time. According to http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/plan_ho.html, in order to obtain optimum efficiency, you should study for about 50 minutes and then give yourself a 10-minute break. Shorter periods are fine for studying notes and memorizing materials. Try to skim over your notes so that you re-familiarize yourself with the material before going over the major points. Study the most difficult (or more dreaded) material first.

Above all, DON’T PANIC! That is the worst thing you can do.

“Try to redirect any anxiety or negative feelings,” advises Mechler.

Sally Marchini, a sophomore who works as a tutor for English Language Liberal Arts (ELLA), which is also located in the Palomino Center, Room 113, offered the advice that we have heard since elementary school:

“Get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast.”

Who knows? It just might help.

If you have actually taken the time to read this entire article, it probably means that you really care about ways you can improve your study skills. (Either that or you are just seriously bored!)

Now that you have some suggestions and motivation, do it. You know more than anyone the most effective way you can study. You have spent the entire semester (or at least you should have spent the entire semester) attending class. Reward yourself. Study for your finals and earn yourself that grade you really deserve.
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