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Studying For Finals - Blog Posts
do me a solid and just reblog this saying what time it is where you are and what you’re thinking about in the tags.
Start Studying For Finals NOW
The semester has hardly started and you think it's already a good idea to start studying for finals?
I think its a good idea to avoid the panic looming at the end of the semester. I don't need a crystal ball to predict the posts on Facetumblinstatwitter - students stressing about what grade they need on the final to pass their class rather than actually studying. In attempt to snuff this distress I have a few proven habits if used throughout the whole semester will make finals week more zen.
1) Office Hours
As intimidating as the master behind your grade may seem the value of visiting your professor during office hours well outweighs the fear. Sometime not even the internet has the answer to your problems. After exhausting the knowledge of your friends, teaching assistant, and solutions manual studying can feel hopeless. Professors can often detect when your thinking is heading in the right direction and how to help you out if you are completely lost. Remember that they want you to succeed as long as you are willing to put in the effort.You can get the most out of office hours by trying the problem first, and coming up with question beyond "I don't get it". It is obvious when you are putting forth your best verses just fishing for an answer.
2) Optional Homework Is Mandatory Homework
Don't be fooled by a professor's modern teaching ideologies of "graded homework is a waste of time". Even if the professor assigns optional practice problems for your success in the class "optional" in professor speak means"mandatory". Why not become as comfortable with the material as possible? Understanding concepts a little at a time is much more manageable then cramming at the end of the semester.
3) Allocate Study time
Studying for courses between classes and attending your weekly study group may seem like enough time was dedicated. After recollecting the number of times you checked twitter you realize not a lot of studying went on. Printing out a copy of your class schedule and blocking out time strictly for studying will help you visualize how much time is needed. Two hours of study time should be dedicated for every credit you have per week. As a full time student of 12 hours that would be 24 hours of studying a week. As an engineering student with a 12 hour course load you square it and get 144 hours of studying (just kidding). If focusing for longer than the duration of a Spongebob episode is difficult for you consider using the 50/10 study rule. Study for a solid 50 minutes and then take a 10 minute break (not the other way around).
4) Take Useful notes
While attending lectures (and not sleeping in) be mindful of what you jot down. Will you be able to decipher your chicken scratch by finals week? Reconsider what will be useful to write down as a homework reference and what to underline for review during finals. Take advantage of presentations and notes professors posts online so you can record only what's most important to you. As the only person in your study group with legible notes you have rights to charge a Chipotle burrito tax every time they want to copy them.
250108
song of the day: metamodernity- vansire
very chilly day today. my life flashed before my eyes too many times to count. why is my campus on an icy hill.
research: finished citations for my article and submitted it for editing. started the outline for my next article. bugged my team about finding our introduction for our paper (it has been over a month). sent out a few emails to profs.
academics: finished some online lab training courses for my upcoming synthetic biology lab workshops. am very excited!
selfcare: learned a little bit about game design. i know next to nothing about coding but i have to learn it eventually. ordered myself a very nice and comforting hot meal.
tomorrow's goal: i need to start doing reading assignments before i fall behind. i'll try to finish my pre labs before labs start next week.
notes: i didn't post for the past few days as i was quite stressed about my program. i was debating transferring to engineering, even transferring to another school. but i've figured it out so it's all good now.
241228
song of the day: sticky- tyler, the creator
about halfway through priming for my courses. i was a little disappointed with the poor quality of the notebooks at the store but at least i have something to write in now.
also planned out my new years which helped destress.
sadly didn't get 100% completion in the horror game i wanted to finish: it is about 2 hours long and i must replay it for the zero deaths run. maybe i'll finish it in a few months.
research: didn't get any writing done today but since the base structure is already there, i just need a little more information and edit. i hope to finish it tomorrow but it will probably take a few days, realistically.
tomorrow's goal: finish priming for my courses and get started on calculus review (didn't get the best mark last semester). bake cookies? go swimming.
it's really shocking and sad to think that i only have a week left with my family before i go across the country and back to being totally alone. but i'm enjoying the time i have now which is all that matters.