‘Tis the Season … for Final Exams

You have studied, presented, participated, written and bubbled one semester's worth of work. Despite your efforts, your fall semester grade comes down to one single test: your final exam. With only a week left before finals, it is imperative to review your current grades and determine where and how to spend your study time. 

Where to focus depends on exact percentages. Focus on grades that are on the cusp, not grades you wish were in another category entirely. Final exams generally range from 15%-20% of a semester grade. Unfortunately, most students do not improve their grades with final exams. In fact, final exams tend to drop grades approximately 3%. Based on this theory, an English class with an 82% should receive more study time than an Algebra class with a 76%. This may seem counterintuitive; students tend to focus on their lowest grades. Yet, a 76% is a solid C in Algebra that is not likely to become either a B or a D. Therefore, the focus should be on keeping that B- and not letting it fall to a C+. Review your grades and organize your studying by day and time. Calendar out all projects, finals, and study sessions. Include hours per class so you know exactly where you are dedicating your time. 

Study time often lacks efficiency. Please note, “studying” is not simply completing a review sheet of terms handed out in class. While Quizlet can be helpful in memorizing vocabulary, studying is reviewing concepts in context. Review your lecture notes by rewriting them. Go over past exams and make yourself a new blank practice test to see what you retain. If a teacher does not provide final exam specifics, past exams are a strong measure of content.  If your test is multiple choice, do a Google search of your class title and see what practice exams and presentations pop up. For example, “world history high school semester 1 final exam (or semester 1 study guide)” should provide some resources similar to your class content. Seek materials that include solutions to save yourself a step. Add in phrases like “pdf or multiple choice” to narrow your search. Is it exactly the same? No. Is it better than nothing? You bet.  

Be sure to use your preferred method of learning to study content. Visual learners may write, type, or sketch out information while an auditory learner needs to talk out the content with a parent, tutor, classmate or friend. Making a recording and playing it several times might help auditory learners with memorization. These techniques are especially helpful for students who have drafted essays at home that need to be written in class. Above all, make the effort. Do something for each class that your classmates have not thought of.  That is how you get ahead. 

Make studying as painless as possible. If you need new rainbow jelly pens to color coordinate your notes, go pick them up. Request your favorite takeout for dinner and stock your desk with ample snacks. Arrange study dates… only if productive studying takes precedence over social affairs. After all… misery loves company. Happy studying and best of luck!